The power of armaments: the Russian Federation will increase the capabilities of the ground forces as soon as possible

A new state program for 2027-2036 should be formed for the entire complex of advanced weapons, and with the maximum use of special operations experience. Vladimir Putin stated this on June 12 at a meeting dedicated to this topic. At the same time, the Russian Federation will focus on creating precisely modern systems: the document will also provide for measures to modernize aircraft technology and plan funds for bases and airfields. The President called for paying special attention to the nuclear triad: currently, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic forces is already 95%.

What will be included in the new state armament program

On June 11, Vladimir Putin gathered representatives of the defense ministry in the Kremlin, as well as some members of the Cabinet of Ministers: the president began a series of special working meetings at which key parameters of the state armament program for the period from 2027 to 2036 will be discussed. It will become the main guideline for the development of weapons systems for the entire military organization of the country — for the Armed Forces, as well as other troops and military units in special services and departments. It is known that the head of state will hold another similar event on Russia Day on June 12.

On Friday, the open part lasted about nine minutes, and then the conversation switched to a closed format. First of all, Vladimir Putin stressed that a new long–term program would have to be developed across the entire range of weapons systems and models, and above all, promising ones.

— The state program must necessarily include sufficient volumes and range of weapons and equipment to meet our current and future needs. And to do this, we need to link it in terms of terms and activities with the program for the development of the Russian military-industrial complex. It is also obvious that the emphasis in the new state program should be on the creation of the most modern weapons systems," the president said.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov

Putin instructed to make maximum use of the experience of the special military operation and various regional conflicts in the formation of the document. Thus, according to their experience, the Aerospace Forces aviation makes a significant contribution to the destruction of enemy targets, therefore, the President instructed to provide for a set of measures in the program for the creation, purchase, modernization and repair of aircraft and aviation weapons. At the same time, it is important to calculate the needs in advance and already begin preparing the infrastructure for the deployment of new weapons systems, including bases, arsenals and airfields. The necessary funds for the construction and modernization of such facilities should be fixed in a separate line in the program, he stressed.

— I know, I sign these documents all the time when managers come — not from a good life, of course — and ask them to transfer these expenses to other, seemingly more important items. But what does it lead to? To the fact that new weapons systems are emerging, and then they become available in the open field and require faster modernization and additional costs," the president noted.

Nevertheless, the ground forces remain the dominant force in the conduct of modern military operations — the Russian Federation will have to increase their combat capabilities as soon as possible. It is necessary to create a solid foundation for their development, as well as to ensure the development of promising models and weapons systems with high tactical and technical characteristics and modernization resources. "And, of course, the new state armament program should become an effective tool for the implementation of the recently approved Strategy for the Development of the Navy for the period up to 2050," the head of state added.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The main difference between the new state armament program and the previous one is that it is being created in the context of an ongoing special military operation and major changes in military affairs, said military expert Yuri Lyamin. Major changes have been caused by the massive use of various drones on the ground, in the air and at sea, he told Izvestia. Today, the Russian strategic missile forces have been updated by almost 100%, while the aviation forces are lagging a little, said military expert Viktor Litovkin.

— The key parameters announced by the president correspond to the prospects that we want to achieve. We do not know the details, in particular, which types of weapons were laid. But it is important to understand that this is not only about weapons and ammunition, but also about the construction of new military-industrial enterprises, the creation of new materials, new physical principles," the expert emphasized.

The nuclear triad in the new state program

Special attention in the state program will be paid to the nuclear triad. It has been and remains the guarantor of Russia's sovereignty and plays a key role in ensuring the balance of power in the world, Vladimir Putin stressed. Currently, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces is already 95%. "This is a good indicator, in fact, it is the highest indicator of all nuclear powers in the world," the president stressed.

Photo: Global Look Press/ Guido Kirchner

According to Yuri Lyamin, the special attention to the triad in the state program is understandable: nuclear weapons and their means of delivery have been and remain the basis of a strategic deterrence system, which is important in an increasingly unstable world. And it should always be ready. Viktor Litovkin expressed the same opinion.

— If the world knows that Russian nuclear weapons are on high alert, which is why the enemy will be guaranteed to be destroyed in an attack, the same United States and NATO countries will not touch us. The Alliance, for all its threatening rhetoric towards us, does not dare to fight us directly. For example, when a Ukrainian missile flew into Poland, Zelensky said it was a Russian missile, as did the Polish president. But Biden denied this, saying that she was Ukrainian, and immediately the Polish president changed his mind," he explained to Izvestia.

Why are Russian military products valued in other countries

Vladimir Putin once again drew attention to the need to increase the export potential of domestic weapons and equipment, especially those samples that have been tested in real combat operations, and not on the ground. This technique has proven its reliability and efficiency, and it is competitive both in terms of cost and maintenance costs. At the same time, the president drew the special attention of First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to the last point. "There is still work to be done here," the president remarked.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The Head of State recalled that the same topic was raised on May 23 at a meeting of the commission on military-technical cooperation. Then it was decided to develop and launch separate areas for the production of export military products within the framework of the defense industry development program. "This must also be taken into account in the new state program. Of course, it should set guidelines for the formation of long—term production plans for the defense industry," Putin stressed.

Today, it is necessary to effectively use the potential of the country's defense enterprises. The President instructed to build a well-thought-out personnel policy in the defense industry, as well as to take into account in advance the possibility of producing civilian products at defense enterprises. He noted that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Defense should "see the future and think about how, if necessary, to ensure the loading of enterprises with the production of civilian products."