Russia proposes radical overhaul of maintenance, repair contracting practices

Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has proposed a radical overhaul of the country's approach to military materiel repair and overhaul programmes, with plans to implement whole-life maintenance contracts.

The proposal was put forward by Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu on 29 January.

The measure was part of a long-term national defence plan, which was presented to President Vladimir Putin for approval at the end of last month. Few details of the defence plan have emerged, other than the proposal to alter maintenance procedures.

At present, decisions relating to repair and maintenance activities are devolved through the structures of the armed forces.

It is now proposed that the original equipment manufacturers will be awarded through-life contracts; thus bringing Russia further into line with the practices of western markets, where through-life contracts have been the norm in recent years.

"It is important to entrust the manufacturer with repair, maintenance, and overhaul of equipment," Shoigu said through Russian state media.

The proposal will not affect low-level maintenance activities, however, which will continue to be carried out in-house within military units.