Russian defense chief orders military to monitor deployment of US missiles

Monitoring Desk

MOSCOW: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has tasked the Russian military with monitoring the deployment of intermediate- and shorter-range missiles by the US.

“We need to carry out a profound analysis of potential military threats and outline the measures on improving the armed forces. The results of these efforts will be taken into account when drafting the country’s defense plan for the years 2021-2025,” he said on Friday, opening a teleconference on the main spheres of activity of the Russian Defense Ministry for the year 2020.

“We need to monitor the deployment of intermediate- and shorter-range missiles by the US,” Shoigu stressed when outlining the year’s goals.

He also noted that the Russian Strategic Missile Forces must carry out steady re-equipment with the Avangard and Yars missiles, while the nuclear navy forces must begin deployment of the Borei-A strategic missiles.

The minister added that the key objectives for the upcoming period had been determined by Russian President, Supreme Comm-ander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin. “In December, during the expanded session of the Defense Ministry top brass, we summed up the armed forces’ performance in 2019. The commander-in-chief commended the development of the army and fleet, outlining the key objectives for the upcoming period,” the minister said.

The Russian Armed Forces face the task of increasing the share of advanced weaponry to 70% by the end of the year and steadily maintaining it in the future, according to Sergei Shoigu.

“The share of the troops’ provision with advanced weaponry has to be raised to 70% by the end of the year and it should be steadily maintained at this level in the future. It is necessary to develop and introduce new and more effective methods of troops’ deployment in combat training programs,” Shoigu stated, while opening the ministry’s conference call.

It is also important to continue work on ensuring social welfare and worthy living standards of servicemen, the defense minister noted.

“The solution of these tasks will make it possible to build up the combat potential of the Armed Forces and provide reliable protection from an aggression against Russia and our allies,” Shoigu concluded. (TASS)