Rob Lee

"Today, we have a unique situation in our new and recent history. They try to catch up with us. Not a single country possesses hypersonic weapons, let alone continental-range hypersonic weapons. We already have the Kinzhal and Peresvet laser combat systems with the troops." 2/

"we have begun to equip the first regiment of the RVSN with the latest Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle. Work on other systems is underway, including Sarmat boosted ICBM; Tsirkon ground and sea-based missiles; the Poseidon UUV; and the Burevestnik nuclear-armed missile." 3/

"Other systems have been fielded as well, including the ones that were tested during various exercises and in combat conditions in Syria, such as Kalibr cruise missiles." 4/

"There are also other technologies. They are not covered much in the media, but they do exist, are sent to the army and are operational." 5/

"What exactly will help us move forward? I said then literally the following: brains, intelligence, better organisation of work, minimizing theft and negligence, and concentrating efforts on key areas will lead us to a high state of defense capability." 7/

"Important steps have been taken to improve control, communications, intelligence and electronic warfare systems. The progress is mainly due to the introduction of the most recent technologies in the collection, transmission and processing of information." 9/

"we talked about the need to reduce decision-making time at all levels of the military...Thanks to the use of advanced technologies, integrated solutions and new algorithms, it was possible to improve the performance and increase the capabilities of the military's C2 system." 10/

"The previous models of weapons and equipment used in the Aerospace Forces, Navy, and in other branches and services are being systematically replaced by modern ones, including those based on digital technology and artificial intelligence." 11/

"Robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles are being rigorously introduced and used in combat training, which dramatically boosts the capabilities of armed units and subunits." 12/

"The Navy as well as long-range aviation fully accomplished their tasks during the Ocean Shield drills; for the first time, Russian military units tested and coordinated actions among eight states to perform anti-terrorist operations during the Tsentr-2019 manoeuvres." 14/

"The Russian army continues to play a key role in achieving peace in Syria. The Aerospace Forces group, ships and submarines of the Navy, including those deployed at the Khmeimim airbase and the naval base in Tartus, are guarantors of peace and stability in that country." 15/

"It is also important that Russia, thanks to the increased capabilities of the military, is confidently entering a new level of international military cooperation. Several Tu-160 flights over the western part of the Indian Ocean were performed from airfields in South Africa." 16/

"Russian crews joined forces with their Chinese counterparts on combat patrolling of the airspace over the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, also for the first time." 17/

"all military academy graduates in 2019, over 14k officers in total, received positions in the military confirming to their profession. This means that the overall military education system in its current form satisfies the current and future needs of the Armed Forces," 18/

"operates in a balanced and sound manner, training new generations of military professionals who will build the future of Russia’s Army and Navy." 19/

"Tension persists in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and on the Korean Peninsula. NATO is expanding its military infrastructure close to our borders." 21/

"The arms control regime is disintegrating, which causes serious concern. This is not limited to the dismantling of the INF Treaty by the United States under a pretext that is clearly far-fetched and absolutely groundless." 22/

"Since Nov 2019, Washington has been creating uncertainty regarding its engagement under the Open Skies Treaty. The prospects of extending the New START are equally vague. And all this is taking place while the US is expanding the capability of its global missile def system." 23/

"In this context we must continue to strengthen and develop the Army and Navy, as well as to focus on the following key objectives in 2020. 1st of all, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the Army and Navy must reach at least 70 percent by the end of 2020." 24/

"This goal has been already achieved in some arms and services, but others must continue working, for example, the Ground Forces." 25/

"our equipment must be better than the world’s best if we want to come out as the winners. This is not a game of chess where we can sometimes accept a tie. It concerns the military organisation of the nation. Our equipment must be better." 27/

"We can do it and we are doing it in the key spheres. But we must also do it in all spheres." 28/

"2nd, the drafting of the national defense plan for 2021–2025 will be completed next year. While working on it, we must take into account the military and political changes that have happened in the world and try to forecast future developments," 29/

"Third, I have said that this year the United States has actually destroyed the INF Treaty, which is why we must monitor the potential deployment of US missiles of this class around the world, but first of all in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region." 30/

"We are ready to work out new arms control agreements. But until this process is launched we will continue to strengthen our nuclear forces. I am referring to the delivery of cutting-edge Avangard and Yars systems to the RVSN and Borei-A subs to the naval nuclear forces." 31/