Vladimir Putin Wants GPS for His Dog

Russia's satellite navigation system is still taking shape and now President Vladimir Putin wants to use it to also keep tabs on his black labrador. First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov recently briefed the cabinet on the development of GLONASS, the acronym for Global Navigation Satellite System. The Russian leader then asked: "When will I be able to buy the necessary equipment for my dog Koni so that she doesn't run too far?"
Ivanov responded that collars for dogs and cats with satellite-guided positioning equipment will be available for private consumers in the middle of next year.
GLONASS was developed during the Soviet era as a response to the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS. The system originally had 24 satellites, but their number dwindled after the 1991 Soviet collapse.

Russia has plenty of money to throw around, quite unlike the U.S. that is mired down in unimaginable debt from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the mortgage and credit crisis, as well as other issues. Russia's booming oil revenues, the government has earmarked funds to revive the system to its full strength and offer it to global consumers. Ivanov said a Russian booster rocket was set to put another three GLONASS satellites into orbit on Tuesday, bringing their total number to 18 -- the number necessary to provide navigation services over the entire Russian territory.

I found it rather interesting that Putin has his sights on using the technology for his dog. What is a dog supposed to do? By the way, Russia is in the process of selling Iran an expensive, new and sophisticated air defense system that experts say is capable of dealing a serious blow against would-be attackers. The new S-300 air defense system signals growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said. Russia is selling Iran a new and sophisticated air defense system that experts say is capable of dealing a serious blow against would-be attackers. I think the West should think about this deeply. We have more to worry about than Putin putting GPS on his dog.