OREANDA-NEWS.   Vladimir Putin held a meeting on developing a military and dual-purpose orbital satellite group. Taking part in the meeting were Commander of the Air and Space Defence Forces Alexander Golovko, Head of Roscosmos Oleg Ostapenko, and the heads of a number of companies in the sector.

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon colleagues.

This meeting brings to a close the series of meetings on developing Russia’s Armed Forces and supplying them with the latest arms and equipment. In other words, this is a detailed examination of all the issues concerning defence procurement orders through to 2020. 

We have always said and repeated – and rightly so – that Russia’s modern Armed Forces must have advanced technology that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s warfare methods.

It is absolutely clear that we cannot fulfil this task unless we reinforce our orbital satellite group. It is obvious that anything the Armed Forces do will be of little effect without support from space. This concerns above all communications, navigation, intelligence, and target-setting.

Only a balanced group of military and dual-purpose satellites can help us to achieve the results we need. We have already done the necessary groundwork for development in this area.

The orbital satellite group has increased noticeably over the recent years. Five more satellites were added this year under the state armament programme. It is planned to launch another five before the end of this year. Next year, we will put six new satellites into orbit and will also begin tests of the new Angara launch vehicle.

Let me say a few words separately about developing the orbital satellite group used by GLONASS – the Global Satellite Navigation System. The satellite cluster in orbit now has 28 satellites. This is four more than planned, which gives us an additional reserve of reliability and makes the whole system more solid.

The system was designed to ensure our national security and keep us independent in the satellite navigation sector. Furthermore, the GLONASS system makes an effective contribution to transport management, carrying out geographical surveys and cadastre work, and so on. It has a lot of importance for the economy too. We must continue doing everything necessary to keep enhancing the system. 

At the same time, let’s be frank, there are a number of sectors in which we must make up lost ground and restore our technological capability. As you know, problems in the space sector and the sector’s operation have been discussed at the highest political level. These issues have been the subject of discussion at government level and among the general public.

Regrettably, discussions have centred not on new achievements, but on a whole series of mishaps and failures that have cost Russia a lot in financial terms, but even more in terms of morale. Even though they receive stable financing, a number of key projects are in a drifting state when it comes to deadlines, and this includes projects related to our defence capability.  

We have here the commander of the Air and Space Defence Forces, the head of Roscosmos, and the general directors and designers from leading enterprises. Let’s start work and take a closer look at these issues, which are important for the sector, and which we must resolve.