27 Feb 2019 12:56

Coastal missile battalion, tank regiment to reinforce Baltic Fleet in 2019 - Shoigu

MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax) - A tank regiment and a coastal missile battalion will be formed in the Russian Baltic Fleet and a mobile reserve surface-to-air missile regiment will be created in the Western Military District before the end of this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said.

In accordance with the approved plan, the main efforts in the Western Military District will be focused on the fulfilment of 142 organizational events," Shoigu said at a Russian Defense Ministry board meeting on Wednesday.

The most important of these is the formation of a mobile reserve surface-to-air missile regiment, he said.

"The effectiveness of the protection of military and state facilities on the Baltic operational track will increase by 40%," Shoigu said.

As key events for 2019, he mentioned the formation of a tank regiment and a coastal missile battalion in the Baltic Fleet, two regiments in the 20th army and a district technical missile base.

Among the main tasks of the Western Military District, the minister mentioned the completion of the construction of garrisons for the army's newly formed 3rd and 144th motorized infantry divisions of the 20th Army, as well as maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of 23 battalion tactical groups.

"A total of 1,272 weapons and items of military and special equipment will be provided to the district troops (forces) under the state armaments program," Shoigu said.

Modern weapons now account for 54% of the weapons in the Western Military District, the minister said.