Russian defense industry will have to work looking to the West.

The growing presence of imported material in the Russian Army makes the local defense industry to work looking to the West, writes Izvestia newspaper today.
Vice Minister Vladimir Popovkin, who oversees arms purchases Defense, believes it is a logical trend: "International cooperation and some basis of imports are necessary because we can not always make do with domestic components today," he said.
Popovkin said the Russian military will be equipped imported materials if domestic industry can not offer quality products. He also mentioned that Russian weapons and often are offered at prices similar to those of Western equipment. "Given the differences in the level of remuneration, this suggests that the money will go to overhead," he said.
The importation of firearms gives the country access to modern technologies. Thus, Russia is currently negotiating with France to purchase a helicopter Mistral but also emphasizes the local co-production of three other ships of the same class, which involves the construction of new shipyards, technical training and acquisition of brand new machinery. Holland also hopes to sell to Russia, a Rotterdam-class helicopter carrier, so the military will have to convene a contest likely to determine the best offer.
Vadim Koziulin, professor of the Academy of Military Sciences, notes "the real emergence of a competitive environment in the Russian market for weapons and materiel, before fully closed and monopolized by single companies. "I could not even call market, as everything was decided in the corridors. Now, the Russian defense industry will have to work looking to the West and cooperating with Western companies to improve quality," said the expert.
Chavez proposes to enter Turkmenistan 'gas OPEC'


Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who is serving his first official visit to Turkmenistan, today advised his Turkmen counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdimujamédov examine the possible entry of this Central Asian country in the 'gas OPEC' promoting Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
Chavez called his historic visit to stress that contribute to closer ties between Venezuela and Turkmenistan, as well as between Latin America and the Caribbean, on the one hand, and the ancient civilization of Central Asia, who remained hidden in Soviet times, on the other .
Berdimujamédov, in turn, stressed that it is a pleasure and an honor to receive in Turkmenistan Chavez. He also recalled that his country, according to expert evaluations, in fourth position worldwide in terms of gas reserves after Russia, Iran and Qatar. Only South Yeleten Turkmen field, has 14 trillion cubic meters, he said.