Putin called for maintaining the pace of naval rearmament.

Speaking at a meeting on the development prospects of the Russian Navy, held at his residence in the suburbs of Moscow on July 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin positively assessed the pace of the Russian Navy's rearmament.

President Putin emphasized: "We are moving towards the goal of significantly re-equipping the submarine and warship units of the Navy," noting that this will allow the Navy to address a range of challenges ahead, "especially in maintaining strategic balance and repelling potential threats so that the Navy can protect shipping lanes and commercial vessels."

Putin asserted that the Navy's military capabilities are key to Russia's security and the protection of its national interests.

At the meeting, President Putin also stated that Russia's 2013 state defense orders were more than 85% complete and indicated that this year would see deliveries of orders such as the modern Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh strategic bombers, as well as the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine.

According to Putin, for next-generation technologies to work effectively, Russia needs to develop and modernize its coastal infrastructure.

According to (VNA) - DT