MOSCOW. Dec 22 (Interfax) - The Russian Armed Forces ensured a 14% increase in combat capabilities in 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry collegium meeting.
The supply of new weapons and equipment to the troops went up five percent and the provision of military units with state-of-the-art weapons has reached 58.3%, Shoigu said.
"The Armed Forces generally ensured a 14% increase in combat capabilities in 2016. This level has supported the country's defense potential. There is a qualitative and quantitative increase in the main indicators as compared to 2015," Shoigu said.
The amount of new weapons and equipment supplied to the troops went up five percent after state defense contracts were fulfilled, he said.
"As a result, the provision of permanent readiness units of the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art weapons has reached 58.3%," Shoigu said.
The minister said the amount of fault-free weapons and equipment has gone up five percent, reaching 94%.