SPACE WIRE
Russia's Putin names deputy prime minister for arms sales
MOSCOW (AFP) Apr 25, 2003
 Russian President Vladimir Putin has named Boris Alyoshin deputy prime minister responsible for the defense industry and arms exports, the presidential administration said Friday, without indicating when Alyoshin would take up office.

Putin announced Thursday that a deputy prime minister would be appointed to ensure closer coordination among producers for Russia's weapons export market.

Alyoshin was previously first deputy minister for industry, science and technology.

Russia last year booked record arms sales of 4.82 billion dollarsbillion euros).

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