Putin says Russia upgrading nuclear triad amid mounting global security risks

Moscow, June 23 (IANS) Russia’s nuclear triad is consistently being modernised, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

“Under the State Armament Programme, the nuclear triad and the Ground Forces are being consistently modernised, and the combat potential of the Aerospace Forces and Navy is growing,” Putin said at a meeting with graduates of higher military schools, Xinhua news agency reported.

He further said the current international environment is far from stable. “Armed confrontation in the Middle East shows no sign of abating, and conflict risks have surged across numerous regions globally, including the Eurasian space,” he said.

Putin stresses that Russia consistently advocates equal and indivisible security for all. “We are convinced that this goal can only be achieved by establishing a multipolar system of international relations and reliably safeguarding the military security of every state. At the same time, we stand ready to deliver prompt and adequate responses to any external and internal threats.”

He noted that more than 1,000 models of weapons and military hardware underwent field trials in combat conditions last year. “These include unmanned aerial vehicles fitted with upgraded guidance systems, loitering munitions, multipurpose robotic systems, and a wide array of other equipment,” he said.

He also said that Western countries are openly talking about preparing for war with Russia and continue to increase their military budgets, Russia’s state-owned Tass media reported.

“We see that while NATO countries previously limited themselves to supporting the Kyiv regime, which came to power through illegal armed means and a coup d’etat, now the West is openly saying that they are preparing for war with us and are increasing their military offensive budgets,” noted the Russian President.

According to him, the “pseudo-democratic West” first create threats against Russia, which forces the country to take actions necessary for self-defence and then accuses Russia of “all mortal sins” to justify continuing its aggressive policies and actions against Russia.

–IANS

ksk/dan