‘Russia to develop own weapons manufacture’ – Rogozin

Russia will continue developing its own military industry rather than focusing on serial production of foreign weaponry, says Dmitry Rogozin, deputy PM in charge of the defense industry.

"We will not make any mass purchases of foreign-made armored hardware. We need only individual samples, in order to understand how they work and what advantages they have," he told a media conference on Friday.Rogozin accepted the possibility of cooperation with foreign partners in weapons design, "but only in terms of borrowing certain units in which we are lagging somewhat behind," cites Interfax. “On the whole, we must keep in mind that no one will sell us the smartest and most advanced hardware, even amidst the economic crisis in the West,” the official stressed. In his opinion, generals should spend less time traveling to foreign military hardware exhibitions, while designers, on the contrary, must visit such events.Rogozin also said that the share of private businesses in the Russian military-industrial sector will increase.“Production cannot rely on state money all the time. Private businesses will become attracted to this sector if normal conditions are created, if profitability is high and if the investment climate is protected," he observed. Rogozin, Russia’s former envoy to NATO, is at the Defense and Security-2012 exhibition in Nizhny Tagil, Sverdlovsk Region. Over 220 companies from 25 Russian regions and three foreign states are showcasing their products at the exhibit, takes place from August 22-25.The deputy PM specifically noted the Tank Support Fighting Vehicle, nicknamed Terminator. He referred to the machine as his “love at first sight” and vowed to support its promotion personally.