Russia to continue to strengthen nuclear forces

MOSCOW - Russia is ready to work on new arms control agreements but in the meantime will continue to strengthen its nuclear forces, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Russia will advance its work on the creation of "promising missile systems capable of ensuring a guaranteed deterrence of aggression against Russia" and its allies, Putin said at an enlarged meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry's board.

At the meeting, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the country's nuclear forces will receive 22 launchers with Yars and Avangard intercontinental ballistic missiles next year.

Also in 2020, the Russian Navy will receive the first of seven nuclear submarines of the Borei-A class, named Prince Oleg and armed with Bulava ballistic missiles, Shoigu said.

The lead submarine of this class, Prince Vladimir, has successfully completed tests, the minister said without specifying the date of its commissioning.

The modernization of six Tu-95MS strategic bombers should be completed next year, Shoigu added.