The Iskander-M tactical missile system that surpasses similar foreign weapons should become the basis of Russia's ground forces, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a conference dedicated to the modernization of the defence industry facilities in the city of Kolomna near Moscow.

The Iskander system was displayed for the first time at the MAKS Aerospace Show in 1999. It is designed to launch strikes on missile systems and aircraft at air bases and commanding and communication centres.

To launch the serial production of the Iskander-M, 17 relevant factories are now being reconstructed. The overall investment in the project is estimated at 40 billion rubles or about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars.

Russia needs new security strategy
The growing tension in the world requires improving the national security strategy, Russian President Vladimir Putin says.

"We should take into consideration not only changes in the situation along our borders but also new developments in other regions of the world, such as the Middle East, the so-called 'arc of instability' in North Africa, and Afghanistan," Putin declared at a meeting with senior army officers on the occasion of their promotion to higher ranks.

Putin said that defending Russia remains our 'unconditional priority' and that the government modernizes the armed forces and makes a great contribution to their overhauling. Putin mentioned the fact that the share of the new generation of weapons and equipment in the armed forces will reach 30% in three years and 70% in five years.

"We will be paying special attention to the consolidation of the officers' corps, and implementation of new methods of training commanders. Training soldiers remains the main task for officers," the president said.

Source: Voice of Russia