YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, 30 July (RIA Novosti) - The re-equipping of units and bases in the Far East Military District is one of the priorities of the Russian Defense Ministry, the head of the ministry Sergei Ivanov said while visiting the Sakhalin and Kuril islands for military base inspections."For the land forces, the priority for re-equipping is clearly in the Far East and North Caucuses military districts", said the minister. He said that a long-term program for re-equipping the Russian military is currently being implemented.
Ivanov said that taking into account the large land and sea areas involved, the Far East Military District is of strategic importance for Russia. The most advanced military technology will therefore go first and foremost to that area. Specifically, Ivanov said that the latest-generation submarines will go to the Pacific Fleet.
On visiting the bases, he discussed issues concerning the land forces as well as the airforce and navy, and cooperation between these and with other security agencies, in particular with internal security troops and border guards.
