FSVTS to buy components for Russian arms from foreign producers

MOSCOW, July 17 (Itar-Tass) - The Federal Service for
Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) started cooperation with foreign producers of components for Russian armaments, said FSVTS deputy director Konstantin Biryulin in an interview with the Vremya Novostei newspaper, published on Thursday.

"We have passed some kind of a line, starting to establish cooperation
with foreign producers of component parts," he noted. "Prior to this, we
always spoke of self-sufficiency. We understand now: they have something
that can be borrowed."

In Biryulin's opinion, there will be no dependence on foreign
deliveries. "For one thing, under such cooperation, we receive new
technologies. Second, there are several inside state procedures, barring
direct dependence. For instance the country builds up an emergency stock
from among purchased components. This is world practice," he emphasised.

Biryulin also described a tank holding (based on the Uralvagonzavod
firm) which was formed with the participation of the Federal Service at
the initial stage. "The formation of such a holding is necessary so as to
pool design offices and to concentrate financial resources," he explained.

"Russia produced quite recently several base chasses: Omsk made its
own chassis, Uralvagonzavod - its own and Mytishchi - another base
chassis. There were six-seven models. There is no need to create
competition in Russia in tank production.

"We have no two defence ministries and no two interior ministries,
which would need different tanks. Besides, budget money is used to
purchase these tanks. Every rouble, allocated for defence, should be used
effectively."