MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. The deliveries of basic missile/artillery armaments to Russian troops have increased almost fivefold this year, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"We will listen to the reports on the results of fulfilling the 2023 defense procurement plan and proposals on drawing up the defense procurement plans for 2024 and the planned period of 2025-2026," Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry board meeting.
"The basic assignments for this year are aimed at promptly supplying groupings of forces with armaments, equipment, munitions and materiel. Thus, the deliveries of basic missile/artillery armaments to troops have grown almost fivefold or, to be more exact, by 4.9 times, armored vehicles’ armament by more than 3 times and unmanned aerial vehicles by 16 times compared to the beginning of last year," Shoigu said.
The deliveries of weaponry have grown by 12 times, in particular, long-range precision missiles by five times, he specified.
Russia’s defense procurement plan is specified two-three times a month in the wake of the special military operation in Ukraine and daily control of the deliveries of required armaments and military hardware has been established, Shoigu said.
The defense procurement plan’s financing has been doubled with regard to its major items and this year the plan will be at least 98% fulfilled. Considering extra budget appropriations next year, the purchase and repair of armaments and military hardware will also increase, the defense chief elaborated.
"In the current conditions, it is necessary to ensure the accelerated delivery of armaments, military and special hardware and ramp up the production capacities of defense enterprises for the production and repair of the most needed weaponry," he said.
It is also necessary to continue proactive work for upgrading existing and creating advanced armaments with their subsequent testing in the special military operation, the defense minister said.