President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech to the Board of the Russian Defence Ministry, addressing the country's various military activities in 2019. The head of state is also expected to set new goals for the military for next year and announce areas of development that are planned for the army and navy.
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"As the US and other countries continue to annually boost their military budgets, Russia’s spending has remained basically unchanged over the past few years. We were the world's seventh biggest military spender in 2018, moved to eighth place this year and expect to become ninth next year", he said.
"The tests of intermediate-range missiles, conducted by the Pentagon in August and December, testify to the US developing missile systems, banned by the INF Treaty, when it was still in effect. The next step will be deployment of such missiles to Europe and the East", the minister said.
"The deployment of Persvet laser systems has been completed. Since December 1 they have been on combat duty in positional areas of five Strategic Missile Forces' divisions", he said at the annual extended meeting of the Defence Ministry board.
"We are ready to work on new agreements in the field of arms control. However, until this process is launched, we will continue to strengthen our own nuclear forces", he noted.
The president highlighted the rearmament of the Strategic Missile Forces with modern Yars and Avangard missile systems and the strengthening powers of the Navy with Borei-A strategic missile submarines as relevant security measures.
"Of course, we will continue to work on creation of other promising systems that are capable of ensuring guaranteed deterrence of aggression against Russia and our allies", Putin added.
Among the issues of state, national importance, the tasks of maintaining Russia's defense capabilities occupy a crucial position; no matter how the situation unfolds, the reliable, guaranteed defense of our motherland from all potential military threats must remain unchanged", the president said.
He also noted that the Russians remembered the lessons of history and were proud of their heroes.
According to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the US Armed Forces will receive $750 bln next year, which approaches half of the total global military spending.
