Putin calls for modernization of Russian Armed Forces

Moscow, Aug 12 (UNI) President Vladimir Putin has called for modernisation of Russian Armed Forces, asking the Defence Ministry to ensure the unconditional implementation of all plans.

"I hope, the new military leadership will do all it can to guarantee the realisation of plans for the modernisation of the Army and Navy," Putin said at a meeting on the development of the aviation engines industry, in St Petersburg.

He praised First Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov for his contribution as Defence Minister to modernise the country's Armed Forces.

''Sergei Ivanov devoted a great deal of time and attention to the modernisation of the Armed Forces when he was Defence Minister,'' he noted.

Ivanov is widely tipped to succeed Putin, early next year, at the end of his second presidential term in March.

Putin inspected new Voronezh anti-missile radar station recently built near St Petersburg.

''This radar station is the first step toward the implementation of the overall programme, which is intended to be implemented by 2015,'' he said, adding ''It is pleasant to note that it was achieved not only within the set timeframe, but also with the use of Russian intellectual and production means.'' The radar station, located in Lekhtusi, near St Petersburg, began operating December 22, 2006, and is capable of monitoring territory stretching from the North Pole to North Africa.

The Voronezh radar station is part of the national early warning system. It transmits information about a missile attack to state and military control posts, gathers information for Moscow's air defence system and tracks space objects.

''This is what we, in effect, call the modern development of our Armed Forces - an innovative development of those Armed Forces. It is considerably less expensive, more effective and more reliable,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted him as saying at the meeting.

The President also said Russia should produce 300 passenger aircraft annually and double the production of military aircraft by 2025.

''The United Building Aircraft Corporation has the task of producing annually 300 passenger planes by 2025. As for military aviation, we plan to double annual production,'' he said.

Putin also signed a decree on the formation of an integrated structure within the framework of the state-owned Salyut aircraft engine designer and producer, which will work on the development of a new generation of aircraft engines.

UNI