The meeting opened the rally of the top military commanders of the Russian Armed Forces. By tradition, the President proposed to review the results of the training of the troops this year and the situation in the Armed Forces, and determine medium-term priorities.
Vladimir Putin said that the Armed Forces must be ready to confront the threats of tomorrow rather than fight the wars of the past century. The Army’s capabilities, strategy and tactics must be flexible and open to all the advanced ideas and capable of change and evolution.
The President stressed the need for closer coordination of the activities of the ministries and agencies on military planning, control and military-technical policy.
Recalling that by the end of 2007 almost half of the Army should consist of servicemen under contract, he urged the Defence Ministry to be more exacting in the sphere of personnel training and to provide incentives that would attract to the Army the people best equipped for contract service.
The President also drew attention to the problems of logistical and technical support of the Army. He also raised the issues of military discipline and the morale of the troops, improving the material basis of the Armed Forces and the need to address the social problems, in particular, providing servicemen with housing.
Vladimir Putin said that a significant part of the 2004 military budget would be earmarked for military training.
After the meeting the head of state had a separate meeting with the commanders of Military Districts and Fleets.