Russia will spend nearly $50 billion next year on buying weapons and hardware for its armed forces despite an economic crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said yesterday.

President Dmitry Medvedev summoned Mr Ivanov, who is responsible for the military-industrial complex, to demand that the defence sector be secured from the financial crisis raging in Russia.

"The military-industrial complex is starting to be affected by credit problems," Russian news agencies quoted Mr Medvedev as telling Mr Ivanov.

"I believe we should support the defence sector first of all. We cannot allow a non-payment crisis here and we have the resources to do this," he added.

Mr Ivanov reported that the 2009 defence order, due to be considered as part of the national budget by Parliament today, is 1,300 billion roubles ($49.32 billion).

No comparison with 2008 was available, but defence spending has been steadily growing in the past few years.

Russian leaders view strong armed forces as a symbol of the country's resurgence and an important instrument of its assertive foreign policy. The defence industry is also one of the few sectors where Russia is competitive internationally.

Russia's worsening relations with the West, which reached post-Cold War lows after Moscow's military intervention in Georgia in August, have added to the Kremlin's commitment to beef up national defence.

Mr Medvedev has said Russia will spare no cash and efforts to modernise its armed forces. The defence ministry on Tuesday unveiled plans for a radical military reform, which would enhance the battle-readiness of the armed forces.

He has specifically singled out the need to develop the strategic nuclear forces and navy. In a series of recent public statements, Mr Medvedev has announced plans to build new nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.