"The development of autonomous robotic systems is an important line of research. These systems could radically change the spectrum of weaponry for the general purpose forces. We need our own effective technologies in these sphere," Putin said at a meeting of Russia's Military-Industrial Commission.
According to the Russian leader, it is also necessary to lay the scientific groundwork for the country's new rearmament program after 2020.
Russia is in the process of implementing a large-scale rearmament program, which was announced in 2010 and is expected to end in 2020. The cost of the modernization is estimated at about 20 trillion rubles ($337 billion).
Within the framework of the program, Russia's Armed Forces are receiving new warships, such as Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarines, air defense systems, including S-400 Triumf systems, and combat vehicles built on the Armata platform among other pieces of military hardware.
