The current geopolitical situation dictates the need to permanently improve the technical characteristics of weapons and military equipment, and increase the production of arms, the official added.
"Today the Russian military and industrial complex is the world’s most powerful in terms of the output of major types of weapons and military equipment," Manturov said during his address to lawmakers.
Western countries, including the US, have been providing massive military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.