Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), which is designed for both military and civilian use, and allows users to identify their positions in real time.

"We will increase the number of navigation satellites to the required 30 by 2011. In all, we plan to launch six satellites by the end of 2008 and six more next year. Therefore, the satellite navigation system will become truly global," Anatoly Perminov said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

According to the Central Research Institute for Machine Building, the Glonass system currently consists of 16 satellites, with 13 satellites operating in line with their designation function, two satellites are undergoing maintenance and one is due to be withdrawn from the orbital grouping.

Perminov also said that the Russian navigation system has a number of advantages over its foreign analogues as the satellites give better coverage of Arctic zones.

"This is one of the most important preconditions for the successful development of natural deposits and for oil and gas production on the shelf," he said.

It was earlier reported that the Glonass system should include 18 satellites for continued navigation services covering the entire territory of the Russian Federation and 24 satellites to provide services worldwide.

A total of 9.9 billion rubles ($418.25 million) was allocated for Glonass from the federal budget in 2007, and 4.7 billion rubles ($200 million) in 2006.

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