MOSCOW. Sept 26 (Interfax) - The Russian Southern Military District will procure 5,500 pieces of advanced weapons this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"This year, the Southern Military District will accomplish 170 organizational arrangements, the troops will be provided with 5,500 pieces of advanced weapons and hardware, and more than 500 infrastructure facilities will be put into operation," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board on Tuesday.
"Since the beginning of this year, the number of officers in the district has grown by 11,000, while the number of contract servicemen has grown by 30,000," he said.
The district "is upgrading the system of combat training and ranges and is implementing new material and technical means of training," Shoigu said.