MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The entire production chain in the defense industry must be localized in Russia as dependency on external suppliers could hamper deliveries of advanced weaponry to the Russian military, President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
"I would like to stress that the whole the chain of development and production of strategically important materials and components, including the delivery to customers must be localized in Russia," Putin said at a meeting of Russia's Military-Industrial Commission.
"Our defense industry still has dependency in some areas on external suppliers, and such dependency could hamper arms production in light of unfavorable political situation in the world. Therefore, we must reduce as much as possible the risks of this dependency."
The European Union, the United States and several of their allies have imposed sanctions against Russia targeting major companies within its traditionally strong defense industry.
The sanctions also include a EU arms embargo and restrictions on supplying Russian firms with dual-use items.
Russia's current goal is to develop promising import-substituting types of weaponry, the president added.
