MOSCOW. Sept 30 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry has learned lessons from the recent peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia and will improve the structure and equipment of the Russian army, Vasily Smirnov, deputy head of the Russian General Staff, told reporters on Tuesday.
"It is our priority. First of all, there will only be permanent combat readiness units in the Armed Forces," said Smirnov.
All units of the Russian army will become permanent readiness units, said Smirnov.
Special attention will be given to the modernization of the army's equipment, said Smirnov. "The emphasis will be on modernization, and not on those weapons that are offered by the defense industry, but on those that are really needed by the Armed Forces," he said.