Medvedev: Russian forces to be upgraded

MOSCOW, March 17 (UPI) -- Russia's armed forces will undergo a comprehensive modernization and rearmament starting in 2011, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says.

Medvedev said Tuesday at a meeting with Defense Ministry officials that the country's strategic nuclear forces in particular must be upgraded to respond to a changing world geopolitical situation, RIA Novosti reported.

"They must be able to accomplish all tasks aimed at ensuring Russia's military security," Medvedev said, indicating that enhancement of the combat readiness of all of Russia's armed forces will be high on the defense agenda.

"Despite the current financial difficulties, Russia has never had better favorable conditions to create modern and highly efficient armed forces," RIA Novosti reported the president as saying.

Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov said before the meeting that officials had "examined in detail the military and political situation and trends for its development, (and) singled out threats for Russia which can emerge in foreseeable future," Itar-Tass reported.