Vladimir Putin Sets Goals Before Defense-industrial Complex

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has cited at least three major goals calling for undelayed measures to be taken in the defense-industrial complex. Appearing at a joint board sitting of the State and Security Councils discussing matters of the defense-industrial complex, the Russian president said that the most urgent goal is the creation of modern efficient patterns of management and control here, as well as elaboration of real tools for protecting the interests of both the state and developers, creators of defense products. The second pressing goal, according to Putin, is "internal consolidation of the defense-industrial complex and doing away with its structural superfluity". The president noted that the average level of load on production capacities is not exceeding 20 percent and the skeleton of the complex is in place because a limited number of enterprises possess an export potential. The head of state also noted that the overinflated structure of mobilisation capacities still exists, which stands in the way of boosting the efficiency of work of enterprises and their technological retooling.