Putin notes ineffective coordination between agencies, defence industry

President Vladimir Putin said that delays in delivering new vessels and arms to the Navy are a big problem. “Delays in delivering new vessels and arms to the Navy are another big problem. There are various reasons for this situation, but the main problems here are ineffective coordination between the state bodies placing the orders and the defence industry organisations, disruptions in deliveries of components produced by partner companies in related sectors, lack of proper cooperation between the producers and the design bureaus, and, I’m forced to say frankly, sometimes poor quality of the goods supplied,” Putin said at a meeting on naval development and implementing the 2011-2020 naval defence procurement programme on Monday, July 29. He recalled that in the case of construction of one series-production vessel under one of the projects, there were 132 cases of equipment breakdowns. “This is absolutely unacceptable. I expect to hear concrete proposals on improving the situation from the relevant ministries and agencies,” the president said. Putin also admitted that “we still have not organised clear coordination between the people building the ships and the people building the modern arms they will carry. The arms suppliers are running late in a number of cases.” He stressed again that it is essential to work in comprehensive fashion and make sure the design tests of new arms and equipment are all completed in time for the vessels’ commissioning. “This is especially important for the main projects. We will discuss this issue too, during today’s meeting and I want to hear your proposals here. These are the main points I want us to examine today,” he said.