Russia plans construction of 50 warships

• Tweet

MOSCOW, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Russia will build more than 50 warships by 2016 in a multibillion-dollar plan to upgrade its military capabilities, defense officials said Thursday.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement six strategic nuclear submarines and special operations support vessels, 18 surface warships, and 30 special-purpose and counter-subversion vessels are planned for construction, RIA Novosti reported.

The statement added that each new vessel will be more technologically advanced, with the "introduction of new technical and modernization solutions into each subsequently built warship."

Officials said Russia expects to spend $659 billion in its current rearmament program by 2020.

The ministry announced Wednesday it will conduct naval drills later this month in Mediterranean and Black seas that will involve the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific fleets.