Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu at a parliamentary hour in the Federation Council announced a more than twofold increase in the combat potential of the domestic Armed Forces in recent years. As the head of the department emphasized, successes in military construction allowed the country to "maintain strategic parity with NATO."

“The military activity of the North Atlantic Alliance near our borders is increasing every year ... In contrast to these and other threats, we are fulfilling the tasks set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief in the messages to the Federal Assembly. First of all, deterrence potential is building up, ”said Shoigu.

According to the Minister of Defense, “Dagger” high-precision hypersonic aviation missile systems are on pilot combat duty, flight design tests of the Zircon marine hypersonic missile are being conducted.

“In December last year, the first Vanguard missile regiment, as well as Peresvet laser systems, entered combat alert. The modernization of industrial production for the serial production of the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile was completed, ”said Shoigu.

Battle hardening

According to the data provided by Shoigu in a speech to senators, from 2012 to 2019 the share of modern and modernized equipment in the troops increased from 16 to 68.2%. In 2020, this figure should be 70%.

Serviceability of armaments in 2012 was 47%, now - 94%. At present, problems in this direction are quite acute only in the aerospace forces, in particular, in training aviation, as Shoigu spoke about in his December report. However, in 2020, the share of serviceable aircraft in the Russian Federation should increase to 80% "due to the conclusion of state contracts for the cost of flight hours and the transition to a promising system of engineering and aviation support for military repairs."

At the parliamentary hour, the Minister of Defense reported on the completion of large-scale work on the re-equipment of all missile brigades of the armed forces on the Iskander operational-tactical complex.

Shoigu also said that since 2012, the Ground Forces have received more than 12 thousand modern types of weapons and equipment. More than 1.4 thousand aircraft and helicopters were delivered to the aerospace forces and aviation of the Navy. St. Andrew's flag was hoisted over more than 190 ships, boats and support vessels.

Personnel changes played a positive role in the modernization of the army, Shoigu believes. Over the past seven years, the number of contract soldiers has more than doubled, exceeding 405 thousand people, and the number of conscripts has decreased to 225 thousand people.

The contract service personnel are fully staffed with sergeant and foreman posts, special forces units, marines, tactical battalion groups, as well as positions associated with the operation of complex equipment.

According to Shoigu, the Syrian operation served as a “qualitative impulse” for the development of the Russian army. 90% of flight personnel, 56% of air defense specialists, 61% of sailors and naval officers, 98% of the military police received combat experience. Also involved in the campaign in the SAR were representatives of the command structure, including the leaders of military districts, armies, divisions, brigades and regiments.

  • Russian military personnel loading missile weapons
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In an interview with RT, military expert Dmitry Litovkin emphasized that the Ministry of Defense pays great attention to improving the professionalism of soldiers and officers. According to him, the Syrian operation, on the one hand, was an exam for the Russian military, on the other, it demonstrated their high combat effectiveness, ability to perform planned tasks and act adequately in critical situations.

“The necessary combat training in Syria was received, first of all, by the domestic Special Operations Forces, the operators of air defense systems, and, of course, the pilots. On the example of Syria, such qualities of the Russian army as mobility and efficiency in a remote theater of operations were clearly manifested, ”Litovkin said.

The expert also recalled that the latest weapons were used in the Syrian operation. Their combat use made it possible to identify shortcomings and launch work to eliminate them. According to the Ministry of Defense, 359 units of modern military equipment were tested in the fight against terrorism in the SAR.

"In a planned manner"

In the report of the Minister of Defense last year it was reported that in 2020 the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation expect a fairly large-scale supply of weapons.

So, the nuclear triad of the Russian Federation should receive 22 launchers with Yars ballistic missiles and Avangard hypersonic systems, six Tu-95MS strategic bombers, the first serial nuclear-powered submarine cruiser Prince Oleg, project 955A, armed with Bulava ballistic missiles.

565 modern armored vehicles, 436 basic models of missile and artillery weapons, two Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile systems (air defense systems) will be delivered to the Airborne Forces, Ground Forces and coastal units of the Navy.

The industry will transfer 106 new and upgraded aircraft, four regiment sets of the S-400 Triumph air defense system and six divisional sets of the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon defense system to the aerospace forces and the Navy.

In addition, this year the Navy will include 14 ships and combat boats, three submarines, 18 support vessels, and one Bal coastal missile system.

  • Russian tanks in exercises
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In a RT commentary, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, noted that in recent years, industry and the Ministry of Defense have achieved the greatest success in equipping the air defense missile system, cruise missiles and military aircraft. In the short term, as the expert predicts, the Russian Armed Forces expects a massive supply of strike and reconnaissance drones.

“In general, the rearmament of the Russian army and navy is going on as planned. All main tasks are performed. I think that in 2020 the situation will not change. Yes, Russia's military budget has not been growing in recent years (about $ 46 billion - RT ), but the Ministry of Defense and industry are successfully meeting the financial parameters set by the state, ”Korotchenko explained.

Dmitry Litovkin called Russia the world leader in terms of the growth rate of modern and modernized weapons. In his opinion, the funds invested in the modernization of industry, the development of new armaments and the human resources of the Armed Forces make it possible to assign large-scale combat missions to the Russian army, including in a remote theater of operations.

“The achievements in recent years are very large, although, of course, not everything is going smoothly. For example, due to ongoing work to replace marine engines, implementation of shipbuilding programs is facing some difficulties. Also, for the needs of the Navy, it makes sense today to begin laying new large-tonnage vessels. But to a certain extent, these problems are mitigated by a serious increase in the shock capabilities of our fleet due to the armament of the Caliber, which in the future will complement the hypersonic Zircons, ”summed up Litovkin.