Russia promises to develop more nukes, submarines and bombers
Russia vowed to develop more nukes, submarines and bombers, calling it the ultimate guarantee of sovereignty.
Russia will continue to develop its nuclear triad, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.
The triad consists of ICBMs, nuclear submarines and strategic bombers. Nuclear shield is the main guarantee of Russia's sovereignty, Shoigu told the generals, per Reuters.
President Vladimir Putin's defense minister Sergei Shoigu told top generals on Tuesday that Russia would continue to develop its nuclear inventory, as part of a pledge to build a stronger military.
Shoigu said that Russia would press ahead with the development and maintenance of ballistic missiles, submarines and strategic bombers, a combination known as the nuclear triad, Reuters reported.
We will continue to develop the nuclear triad and maintain its combat readiness because the nuclear shield remains the main guarantee of our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Shoigu said, according to Russia's Tass news agency.
Russia has about 68 heavy bombers in its nuclear air fleet, 11 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and about 306 strategic intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non Proliferation.
Russia's nuclear triad delivery system is currently in the process of modernization, the non-partisan think tank said.
The modernization efforts include building Borei-class nuclear submarines, developing new ICBMs, and equipping its air fleet with nuclear cruise missiles.
The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia has a total of nearly 6,000 nuclear warheads. If confirmed, this would make Russia the world's largest nuclear power.
Putin has made repeated covert nuclear threats since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In September he said that Russia would use all means at our disposal to protect its territorial integrity, a phrase Shoigu repeated on Tuesday.
Shoigu also said on Tuesday that Russia would focus on increasing its air combat capabilities. Both in terms of the work of fighter and bomber aircraft in areas where modern air defense systems operate and in terms of upgrading unmanned aerial vehicles, he said, per Reuters.