Russia leads world with most tanks - Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Russia ranks first in the world for the number of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said.
"Over a five-year period, between 2012 and 2017, our troops received over 25,000 new armored tanks and automotive vehicles and 4,000 advanced rocket-artillery weapons, which enabled the Russian Federation to come in first place in the world for the number of tanks, IFVs, and MRLs," Bulgakov said in an interview with the defense ministry's newspaper, Krasnaya Zvezda.
"Over these five years, more than 80 models of advanced equipment have entered service: rocket and artillery weapons, tanks, automotive vehicles, and logistics equipment. Today, advanced weapons and military hardware already account for over 50% [of the military's equipment]," Bulgakov said.
In February, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces, Col. Gen. Oleg Salyukov, announced plans to phase in new tanks.