Rate of supplying army with modern equipment acceptable, should reach 50% by year-end -Putin
SOCHI. May 10 (Interfax) - The proportion of modern military equipment in the Russian army has reached 47.2% and should reach 50% by the end of 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The level of modern models of weapons and equipment has reached 47.2%. If I am not mistaken, about three years ago the figure was only about 30%. So, the pace is evident and by and large acceptable. I hope we will get to around 50% by the end of this year," Putin said at a meeting which focused on development of the defense industry.
For his part, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the target is 51%.
A major plan of work is to be carried out to provide the army and navy with new weapons and equipment and increase the existing ones' operability to 92%, the president said.