Russia To Increase Military Spending By 30 Percent

A helicopter on display at a Russian arms fair in Nizhny Tagil in July (ITAR-TASS) November 21, 2006 -- A top defense official says Russia will increase its military spending by 30 percent in 2007, to 735 billion rubles ($27.5 billion).

Vyacheslav Putilin, deputy head of the military-industrial commission -- which oversees all state arms purchases -- made the announcement on November 20, according to Interfax.

(Reuters)