MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The purchases of highly demanded equipment for Russia's special military operation have increased 7 times, President Vladimir Putin said at an enlarged meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.

"In general, the amount of purchased basic armaments has increased by 2.7 times, and of the most needed ones, by 7 times. At the same time, I draw the attention of the government and Defense Ministry officials to the fact that it is necessary to thoroughly analyze every day what is happening on the battlefield and to look closely at what our soldiers at the frontline need. We need to analyze this constantly," Putin said.

He also noted that this year, thanks to the work of the defense-industrial complex, the supplies of armored vehicles had increased by 3 times and of automotive vehicles, by 4.5 times.

"Yes, the supplies of armored vehicles have increased 3 times, but more are needed," he continued. "We need modern tanks and modern armored vehicles."

Putin emphasized the importance of further increasing the supplies of most needed models and creating a family of unmanned aerial vehicles - from heavy strike drones to ultra-small ones. It is also necessary to involve high-tech businesses and engineering companies in the development and production of equipment, Putin pointed out.

"Incidentally, I want to thank them for this," he said. Many companies and private enterprises, which generally speaking, had little to do with defense industry, have agreed to conduct research into certain problems and have made a rapid headway, very efficiently and with good quality. They are just great. Many probably didn't even expect this."

Putin also said that "some countries have been trying to establish production of seemingly ordinary weapons, but to little avail, while we are succeeding."

He thanked all those who were working on equipment production-related problems.