Today the first teleconference of the year 2016 has taken place under the leadership of the Head of the military department General of the Army Sergei Shoigu in the National Centre for State Defence Control.
The priorities for 2016 within the Activities plan of the Russian Defence Ministry until 2020 has become the main subject of the agenda.
Defence Minister noted that in general, the year 2015 had had good results.
There was created a new branch of the Armed Forces – the Aerospace Forces.
Six missile regiments equipped with stationary and mobile Yars complexes were put on combat duty in the Strategic Missile Forces.
The combat capability of the naval strategic nuclear forces was increased. The permanent combat readiness forces received 2 strategic missile submarines Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh.
The general purpose forces were put on a new quality level.
Eight brigades of different purpose were formed in the Land Forces.
3,000 activities of combat and operational training were held.
Minister of Defence paid particular attention to the social protection of servicemen. He noted that it had been one of the main priorities of the military department in the previous year. General of the Army Sergei Shoigu mentioned that servicemen were provided with service accommodation on a scheduled basis. Development of the military construction complex was continued.
Passing to the priorities for 2016 within the Activities plan of the Russian defence Ministry until 2020, the Head of the military department reminded that the main directions of development of the army and the fleet had been defined by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief at the extended session of the Russian Defence Ministry Board.
Minister of Defence explained that particular attention was to be paid to monitoring and analysis of the military and political situation in the world as well as the timely reaction to its changes.
Another priority is re-equipment of the Armed Forces and mastering of the new military hardware.
This year the level of equipment of the Armed Forces with modern equipment must increase from 47 to 51 per cent. The number of operable hardware is to be raised from 89 to 92 per cent.
Minister of Defence told that there would be created 3 new divisions in the western direction.
General of the Army Sergei Shoigu emphasized that it was necessary not only to form those units but also to arrange their permanent locations, create ranges, storages and accommodation facilities.
It is also planned to finish arrangement military objects in the island part of the Arctic as well as infrastructural facilities on the Kuril Islands.
Moreover, the arsenals for ammunition and weapons are to be built this year.
The Defence Minister paid special attention to increasing potential of the strategic nuclear forces and implementation of the space defence programmes.
Therefore, the Strategic Missile Forces are to put on alert duty 5 missile regiments armed with modern missile systems in 2016.
The Russian Defence Ministry will continue conducting unannounced combat readiness inspections involving federal and regional authorities in 2016. Such inspections will be held in all military districts and braches.
During the inspections, the special attention will be paid to long-range projections of forces, creating force groupings at dangerous directions, performing AD training tasks with usage of aviation.
General of the Army Sergei Shoigu focused on preparation for the Caucasus – 2016 strategic command-and-staff exercise.
According to him, taking into consideration complicated international situation, it was essential to assess capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces on protecting national interests at the Southeastern strategic direction. Forces and troops are to practice cooperating in mountainous terrain taking into account increase of terrorist threats in the region.
In accordance to the Russian Defence Minister, it is necessary to strengthen and develop military cooperation with allies and partners.
The head of military department expressed his confidence that successful implementation of all plans is to increase combat potential of the Russian Armed Forces and protection capabilities of the national interests.
