MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin has promised that Russia will continue to modernize its armed forces amid "growing instability in vast regions of the world."
"Achieving reliable defense capability for Russia is a priority of our state policy. The modern world is far from being on a path of peaceful, secure development. In addition to old, chronic conflicts, new ones emerge that are no less complex. There is growing instability in vast regions of the world," Putin said in a speech before a Fatherland Defender's Day concert at the Kremlin on Saturday.
"We must be ready to protect our country and its people at any moment, we must be able to make long-term forecasts for situations and base the development of our military potential on them," he said.
He said 70% of Russia's armaments are planned to be replaced by 2010, and that "huge funds" are being put into modernizing the defense industry.
"Radical transformations in the military sphere are a difficult and complex process, but it is long overdue. Putting it off means putting the security of the country in jeopardy," the president said.