Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, speaking before top generals on Tuesday, announced the country’s intention to modernize and rearm the military and nuclear forces in 2011. Moscow perceives remaining threats to Russia’s national security, particularly NATO’s encroachment on its borders. And despite a swift victory, last year’s war in Georgia exposed Russia’s tired arsenal.
“An analysis of the military-political situation in the world shows that there are a range of regions where there remain serious potential for conflicts. Threats remain that can bring about local crises and international terrorism. NATO is not halting its efforts to widen its military infrastructure near the borders of our country. All of this demands a quality modernization of our armed forces.”
Photo from Ivan Sekretarev/Agence France-Presse – Getty Images.
