Private companies to be involved in development of nuclear weapons

Russian private companies will be able to participate in the development of nuclear weapons, said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, business-gazeta.ru wrote.

Photo: Dmitry Rogozin

"Everything related to the production of strategic nuclear forces should, of course, remain under the absolute control of the state. However, private owners can also participate in the cooperation, taking into consideration the fact that cooperation in this field is extremely deep there can be 300-400 companies involved, KM.ru quoted Rogozin.

To exemplify the directions that may require the participation of businesses, Rogozin referred to the development and production of electronic components and new materials. Rogozin believes that in general, the volume of private capital in the Russian defense industry must be brought up to 30-35 percent, The Voice of Russia radio said.

However, said Rogozin, all private companies will have to take tests prior to their admission to the defense industry, New Politics magazine reports.

"In the U.S., 60 percent of the military-industrial complex is owned privately. In Russia, I think, the share of private capital in the defense sector may reach 30-35 percent, which is less than in the U.S. due to the fact that we traditionally have a very powerful public sector of defense - 1,350 thousand companies," Deputy Prime Minister said.