As a result of the modernisation the Russian Army will be able to respond to the biggest challenges of the time, the Russian leader said.
According to the President, the development of the international situation and its military-political aspects shows that the military factor has lost none of its relevance. He stressed that this did not mean a direct full-scale aggression against Russia, but concerned global threats posed by regional crises and international terrorism. In this connection Mr Putin stressed the need to ensure the security of the state and society.
Among the immediate tasks identified by the President were improvement of the systems of control, the structure and troop strength of the Russian Armed Forces. The head of state also stressed the need to strengthen discipline in the units and to strictly comply with Russian laws.
The ceremony at the Kremlin was attended by representatives of nearly all the security and military ministries and agencies. Vladimir Putin congratulated 37 top Army commanders on their new appointments and promotion to higher military ranks.