NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 22. /TASS/. The share of modern military equipment in the Russian Armed Forces and other security agencies must reach 70%, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a session of the Russian Security Council.

"In the coming years, the share of modern weaponry and equipment in the army, the fleet, other security forces, must grow and reach 70%. After that, we must steadily maintain this level," Putin said. According to the Russian leader, despite rapid technological progress in the world, the Russian Armed Forces "must be equipped in accordance with state-of-the-art scientific and technological discoveries."

The Russian president noted that Russia had managed to "take a step forward in comparison with other leading global military powers," which is a rare occurrence in the current world history. "Of course, we need to strive towards maintaining this level in the future in the key areas of development. Furthermore, the share of modern equipment must be even higher in strategic nuclear forces, which play a key role in deterring the potential aggressor and maintaining the global balance of power," Putin said.

"Our task for the coming decades is to push ahead with efforts aimed at strengthening and developing the military, technical and personnel potential of the country’s defense," the president stated. In particular, "it is essential to ensure a balanced development of all defense components, primarily through the competent and rational use of budgetary funds, materials and resources," he stressed. "They [Russian military funds] are not that big, compared to the budget of other leading global powers," Putin added.

He also stressed the importance of improving and modernizing the system of Russian military command in order to ensure its stability and multi-functionality. Besides, Russia needs to establish clear cooperation between Russian security structures and the Russian government at all levels, Putin concluded.