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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

Today we are starting another series of meetings on key issues related to the development of the Armed Forces.

We have worked in this format for more than five years now, and it has proven effective and much in demand during this time. It allows us to fully analyse and consider the dynamically evolving situation and, if need be, to promptly clarify and adjust our plans on modernising the Army and Navy and developing our defence industry, and to make decisions that will ensure the meticulous fulfilment of the state defence order.

In the last few years, we have done much for the consolidation of our Armed Forces. Their structure and numerical strength have been streamlined; surprise checks of combat readiness for all manner of forces are regularly held; units are being steadily equipped with new weapons and hardware.

This year our advanced weapon models and systems without analogues in the world were demonstrated for the first time. They vastly increase our ability to ensure Russia’s security and provide us with strategic balance, maintaining the strategic balance in the world for decades to come. We discussed work on these systems at our previous meetings. We know that they are in different states of readiness. We will continue paying regular attention to these issues.

Clearly, we need to keep moving, consistently modernise the Army and the Navy, develop them in all core areas.

The strategic nuclear forces undoubtedly are critically important for defence and security. In accordance with the State Armament Programme we will continue the scheduled replacement of expired Topol missile systems with cutting-edge Yars systems. Fourteen missile regiments will have to be equipped with them by the end of December.

During the year the air component of the “nuclear triad” will be reinforced with upgraded Tu-95MS and Tu-160 missile carriers that will carry modern long-range cruise missiles Kh-101 and Kh-102. The construction of Borei strategic missile submarines is to proceed strictly according to schedule.

One of the priorities is improving means of countering high-precision weapons and their carriers. We must actively develop and enhance technological capabilities in air defence, continue modernising the Pantsir complex, and complete the design and preparations for batch production of the newest S-500 system which is capable of operating at ultra-high altitudes including near space.

Please report on how work is progressing in these areas.

Absolute priorities include increasing the Navy’s combat capabilities, primarily by equipping vessels with Kalibr missiles, and installing cutting-edge reconnaissance and target designation systems. Their use will considerably enhance precision and will ensure a high concentration of strikes on target.

And it is definitely crucial to develop the Land Forces. They play a special role in ensuring Russia’s security. They must be prepared to promptly and effectively neutralise potential threats in all strategic areas.

We must continue to provide units with cutting-edge weapons and equipment including combat vehicles based on the Armata, Kurganets-25, Bumerang, and Taifun unified platforms, and to provide personnel with Ratnik infantry combat gear.

Let us begin our work.

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