Replacing equipment sourced from the western military alliance, notably electronic components, might be more difficult than turning away from Ukrainian products, Deputy Defense Minister admits

MOSCOW, January 13 (TASS) - Plans to replace imports from NATO countries will be presented to President Vladimir Putin at the next meeting of the state military-industrial commission, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov told reporters on Tuesday.

Work was complete on developing import substitution plans though replacing equipment sourced from the western military alliance, notably electronic components, might be more difficult than turning away from Ukrainian products, Borisov said.

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready to face difficulties in connection with the use of imported parts to fulfill state orders, the deputy defense minister said

Substitution policy was not uncommon in globalization conditions in which most countries used imported parts, he added, citing United States' purchase of up to 60% of electronic components from south-east Asia.

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready to face difficulties in connection with the use of imported parts to fulfill state orders, the deputy defense minister said.

“We will have to be faced with certain difficulties, since imported parts of weapons and military equipment account on the average for eight-ten percent,” he said.

The ministry plans to increase purchases of weapons. The volume of state orders will be 20% more in 2015 than in 2014, he added.

Promising models to be delivered to troops will account for at least 30% by the end of 2015.

The rate is reached and it is even more than 40% to arm aerospace defence troops, the Navy and the missile troops, Borisov said.