Russia To Pursue “Safe” Demilitarization Methods

Russia plans to abandon the old technique of exploding old munitions starting in 2013, in favor of "safe" industrial technologies. “Our long-term cooperation with industry has finally paid off, and we are planning to abandon the disposal of munitions by explosion, especially at training grounds, starting in 2013,” Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Dmitry Bulgakov said on Monday. The Minister did not identify the latest techniques and only said the ministry had received several proposals from Russian defense industry firms. According to reports, Russia currently stockpiles about 3.6 million metric tons of munitions and the military is planning to dispose of 2.16 million tons and keep 1.4 million tons in reserve. In 2012, $321 million was allocated to demilitarization.