Russia will fully finance development programmes for its military despite the economic crisis, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledged in a meeting with navy cadets Tuesday.

"Today, despite the difficulties facing our state, the funds that had been set aside to develop the navy and the armed forces as a whole will all be invested," Medvedev was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

"Perhaps something will be done a tad slower, but the chief programmes will be financed in full," the Russian leader assured.

Last month, Kremlin officials warned that falling oil prices would mean a budget deficit for Russia in 2009 after years of surplus.