MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Navy has procured over 60 warships and 13 battalion sets of the Bal and Bastion missile systems over the past five years, thus increasing its combat capacity by 30%, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry's board on Tuesday.
"The Navy has procured over 150 ships and vessels, including more than 60 warships, 15 of which are carrying Kalibr precision-guided missiles. The coastal forces of fleets have been supplied with 13 battalion sets of the Bal and Bastion missile systems, which are capable of hitting seaborne and ground targets," Gerasimov said.
The Navy's aviation procured more than 60 aircraft over the same period, he said.
"The Navy's combat forces have been expanded with multirole surface ships, corvettes, and frigates, capable of hitting seaborne and ground targets and defending naval formations from air attacks," Gerasimov said.
The operational command of the long-range maritime zone was established to supervise ships on missions in the Mediterranean, he said.
"On the whole, the share of modern armaments in the Navy has neared 53%, while its combat capacity has grown by 30%," Gerasimov said.
Every decision made in recent years in regard to the design and procurement of ships, aircraft, and coastal missile systems and their improved basing is long-term and "has laid down a solid foundation for the further growth of the Navy's potential," he said.