China News Service, Moscow, February 23 (Xinhua) Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech on Defenders of the Fatherland Day on the 23rd that he would continue to comprehensively strengthen military construction and continuously strengthen the updating and modernization of technical equipment.

　　In accordance with tradition, Putin went to the Alexander Garden outside the Kremlin walls to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

　　Earlier in the day, Putin issued a video speech pointing out that there are still many worrying challenges and risks in the world today.

Therefore, the strong potential and high level of combat readiness of the Russian military are the guarantee for the development of Russia’s security, freedom and sovereignty.

　　Putin said that Russia will continue to comprehensively strengthen its military construction and continuously strengthen the updating and modernization of technical equipment based on actual combat experience.

At present, modern weapons and equipment account for 95% of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, and the proportion of the "trinity" naval nuclear forces has reached almost 100%.

　　Putin said that Russia's new "Zircon" hypersonic missile has begun mass production and the testing of other strike systems is being completed.

In December last year, Russia’s new strategic submarine was commissioned into the navy.

Four Tu-160M ​​strategic bombers were recently delivered to the armed forces in Kazan.

The Russian conventional forces will also strive to comprehensively replace them with modern weapons and equipment.

　　He pointed out that in recent years, Russian military industrial enterprises have doubled the production and delivery of various types of high-precision weapons and drones, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, as well as air defense systems, anti-artillery combat systems, communications and reconnaissance equipment, etc.

The next step will be to develop and produce more advanced weapons and equipment, and introduce artificial intelligence technology in the military field.

One of the most important tasks is to improve the military's combat training, skills, and collaborative operations levels, and to train commanders at all levels.

　　February 23 used to be the Army Day of the Soviet Union. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia changed this holiday to Defenders of the Fatherland Day.

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