Russia announces major military expansion

 

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced a comprehensive modernization of Russia's armed forces and its nuclear arsenal. The plans call for a complete overhaul of the country's nuclear deterrant, including a new generation of nuclear submarines and cruise missiles, as well as spy satellites and an improved missile defense system. The upgrade would be completed by 2020. Earlier this month, Moscow said it was boosting its defense budget by 25 percent to 96 billion dollars.