The Russian Government plans to adopt a new programme for modernisation of the country’s defence industry in the near future, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.

“We are actively working on a programme aimed at modernising our defence industry. We will adopt this programme in the near future,” he said.

A strong and modernised defence industry is required to carry out Russia’s ambitious state rearmament programme to 2020.

The comprehensive rearmament of Russia’s Armed Forces is expected to begin in 2011, and aims to reach a 30% share of modern weaponry by 2015 and 70% by 2020.

About $641bn will be allocated by the government for the rearmament programme, according to RIA Novosti.