Image of Russia's new strategic ballistic missile system

Russia's ballistic missiles are ready to be launched at any time, part of a massive missile upgrade by the country's military.

Photo: Express

Russian forces are currently undergoing a large-scale upgrade, with units receiving a large number of new weapons, including 41 new intercontinental ballistic missiles.

British news agency Express quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that 99% of Russia's intercontinental ballistic missile launchers are combat-capable, with 96% ready for immediate use.

Photo: Reuters

The Russian Air Force will also receive 170 new aircraft and the Army will receive 905 tanks and other armored vehicles, Shoigu added. Meanwhile, the Army will receive 17 new ships in 2017.

Photo: Express

An additional 1,300 pilots are expected to be recruited.

By the end of 2017, all Russian ground units will be equipped with Iskander-M mobile short-range ballistic missile systems, replacing the Tochka-U systems.

Photo: Reuters

Russia is upgrading its military amid rising tensions with NATO as part of a modernization plan aimed at equipping the Russian military with effective future weapons.

According to Vietnamnet