Seven Russian firms have gained a spot
in the world's top 100 defense companies, according to the Defense News specialist news portal. However, five of the companies featured saw their rating fall as their defense-related revenue continued to suffer under a weakened ruble.
State-owned company Almaz-Antey led the Russian contingent, holding on to its 2015 spot of 11th place with income of $6.9 billion. The company is currently building a new ship to air missile system for the Russian government, and is to maintain a repair center for Russian ships on the Crimean peninsula.
Russia's Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies, a holding company for state firm Rostech, entered the rankings for the first time, appearing in 48th place.
Five other Russian companies also
featured on the list: the United Aircraft Corporation, Russian
Helicopters, the Tactical Missiles
Corporation, Uralvagonzavod and RTI.
Russia initially announced a 2015 defense budget of 3.3 trillion rubles ($51.5 billion), later reducing the figure to 3.1 trillion rubles ($47.8 billion).
As well as continuing operations in
Syria, the Kremlin has increasingly found itself in confrontation
with NATO in eastern Europe. The Russian army announced in May that
it would create three new army divisions to counteract alleged an
NATO buildup at the country's
borders.
