Russia intends to upgrade Strategic Missile Troops’ weaponry by 66% by the end of 2017
The proportion of latest weaponry and technology of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops (RVSN) will reach 66% by the end of 2017. This was announced by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu in a session of the Ministry of Defense board, as reported by RIA Novosti.
According to him, active rearmament is currently underway for four Yars missile system compounds, both mobile and ground based.
Shoygu said in April that the proportion of modern technology in the RVSN is reaching 60%. The minister specified that 96% of Russian missiles remain “permanently ready for immediate launch”.
Mikhail Popov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, said on May 15 that 42% of Russian ground forces had been outfitted with new weapons. According to him, the Navy and aircraft are also equipped with modern technology. Popov highlighted that the Borei-class strategic submarines had been equipped with Yars missile systems and the Tu-160 and Tu-95 strategic missile bombers had been modernized.
At the end of 2016, the level to which all Russian forces had been outfitted with the latest weaponry was more than 58%, he specified.