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Putin rules out further cuts in forces, to retain N-deterrence
Moscow, Oct 02: Ruling out further cuts in the strength of the country`s armed forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin today declared that nuclear deterrence would remain the mainstay of the Russian federation`s national security for a long time.
Moscow, Oct 02: Ruling out further cuts in the strength of the country's armed forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin today declared that nuclear deterrence would remain the mainstay of the Russian federation's national
security for a long time.
"I won't open any special secret if I say that Russia has considerable reserves of land based heavy strategic missiles," Putin was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti news agency.
At the meeting of the country's top military brass Putin said Russia possessed a whole spare stockpile of the world's deadliest SS-19 (Satan) MIRV (multiple individual re-entry vehicle) missiles with several hundred nuclear warheads capable of individually choosing their target. "These are our most dreaded weapons. They are brand new, their life span is very long and their capability is unsurpassed," Putin underscored in an obvious reference to the capability of these missiles to annihilate any prospective US missile defence shield, including NMD.
He also ruled out further cuts in the armed forces, which have already been reduced by 50 per cent in a decade since the breakup of the ex-USSR in 1992. "We are not planning any further major cuts in the armed forces. Today we have moved from the radical reforms to consistent and future-oriented development of the armed forces," he said adding the process had been "difficult" and "painful."
Bureau Report
At the meeting of the country's top military brass Putin said Russia possessed a whole spare stockpile of the world's deadliest SS-19 (Satan) MIRV (multiple individual re-entry vehicle) missiles with several hundred nuclear warheads capable of individually choosing their target. "These are our most dreaded weapons. They are brand new, their life span is very long and their capability is unsurpassed," Putin underscored in an obvious reference to the capability of these missiles to annihilate any prospective US missile defence shield, including NMD.
He also ruled out further cuts in the armed forces, which have already been reduced by 50 per cent in a decade since the breakup of the ex-USSR in 1992. "We are not planning any further major cuts in the armed forces. Today we have moved from the radical reforms to consistent and future-oriented development of the armed forces," he said adding the process had been "difficult" and "painful."
Bureau Report