The Russian Government will provide full funding for research into the use of nanotechnology in the defence sector, Mr Ivanov said when opening the meeting. He confirmed that research into the use of nanotechnology in the defence sector was already underway, and some of its results, including fundamental and applied ones, were "highly satisfactory."

"We need new, modern categories of weapons and military equipment," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Mr Ivanov recalled that the first International Nanotechnology Forum was held in Moscow in December 2008. Many items presented at the forum "can be used effectively for peaceful purposes and also become the basis for creating defence equipment," he said.

Speaking about the objectives of the Long-term Socio-Economic Development Concept through 2020, Mr Ivanov said that they could be achieved only if the competitiveness and technological development of the Russian economy's basic sectors were improved.

"Apparently, these goals can be attained only through a radical enhancement of Russia's economic competitiveness based on the broad introduction of innovation and technological progress of the key sectors," Mr Ivanov said.