Russian military expenditure is set to rise by 30% next year to hit a record post-Soviet high of RUB 3.3trn ($62bn). Most of it will be used to buy more aircraft, submarines, missiles and weapons. The increase, which takes Russia’s spending on defence to 4.2%of GDP and is part of a $375bn rearmament drive that aims to supply 70% of the country’s armed forces with modern equipment by the end of the decade. St Petersburg Times