Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attended an expanded meeting of the country’s Defence Ministry Board on Thursday (December 19), which could become an alarming development for NATO.
During the meeting, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu pointed out that “The Russian army today is the most trained and combat-ready in the world,” with more than 650,000 soldiers having gained combat experience through the war in Ukraine.
He also noted that this year the Strategic Forces fulfilled the planned rearmament. According to him, the rate of modern weapons and equipment in the troops has reached 95%, with the naval components modernised almost completely.
By the end of 2023, the state defence order will be fulfilled by almost 98 per cent, while the volume of equipment deliveries has tripled, he added. In addition, supplies of armoured vehicles increased 4.5 times, unmanned aerial vehicles – 16.8 times, artillery ammunition – 17.5 times.
Despite sanctions, we produce more high-tech weapons than NATO countries [combined].
The defence minister also praised the new system of soldier training and exchange of combat experience, which included the introduction of new tactical methods proven to be effective in warfare. According to Shoigu, more than 800 military training facilities are operating around the clock, with military universities teaching over 60,000 people in accordance with the new programme. Training of specialists in electronic warfare, air defence and drone operators is considered a key priority.
The President noted that “no one in the world has such experience in modern armed struggle as the Russian army does.” Some foreign military experts believe that Russia will emerge from the Ukrainian war with a completely new army capable of confronting the NATO military.
At the same time, Putin stressed that the Kremlin was not seeking a conflict with the alliance, but expressed readiness to “give an appropriate response.”
