MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Newest weapons and military hardware, already supplied or yet to be delivered to more than 80 military units have considerably enhanced the combat potential of Russia’s Central Military District, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has said.
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"In all, more than 80 units will receive advanced weaponry and military hardware," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.
The delivery of new weapon systems was synchronized with the training of specialists and the creation of military infrastructure.
"In all, the implementation of the plan for 2016 allowed for considerably building up the combat potential of Central Military District forces, required to cope with their tasks," Shoigu said.
He recalled that on November 11 a brigade set of Iskander tactical missile systems was handed over to the personnel of the Central Military District at the Kapustin Yar proving ground on November 11.
New divisions
Two motorized rifle divisions have been established in Russia in 2016, their units have been deployed to the Belgorod region, Voronezh region and Smolensk region, Shoigu said.
"First, we will assess the implementation of the president’s decision on improving the country’s military strength in the western regions," the minister said addressing the meeting’s participants. "This year, around 100 events have been held in the Western Military District, in particular, the formation of two motorized rifle divisions has been completed, their units deployed to the Belgorod region, Voronezh region and Smolensk region," the minister has revealed.
According to the defense minister, contract soldiers account for over 70% of the personnel. The divisions have been armed with modern weaponry, military hardware and special vehicles.
"The new deployment areas provide the necessary accommodation for personnel, the basic facilities that have been built including barracks, canteens and consumer services centers. Everything will be fully set up in the first half of 2017," the minister elaborated.
Shoigu also said that venues to hold firearms and grenade launchers firing drills had also been established.