Medvedev Warns Government Against Failure on Arms Procurement

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev criticized the Cabinet for failing to procure arms for the military, saying defense-industry and government officials will be held responsible for the delay.

“It is unacceptable when a decision is made at the highest level, money is allocated and production is not delivered,” Medvedev said today in remarks broadcast by state television. “In previous times, half of those present here would be doing active physical labor in the fresh air.”

He urged the overhaul of the military after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008, including an upgrade of Russia’s nuclear deterrent and the renewed production of aircraft carriers. The nation’s previous weapons-procurement program failed, said Medvedev, who has pledged to earmark 20 trillion rubles ($720 billion) to buy domestic arms in the next decade.

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