Article Posted on : - May 25, 2017

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian military will start receiving the advanced T-50 fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) in 2019 and the S-500 air defence system in 2020, the country's Defence Minister and General of the Army, Sergei Shoigu, has said.

"The deliveries of the T-50 prospective aerial complex of frontline aviation and the S-500 SAM system since 2019 and 2020 (respectively) to the military will increase the effectiveness of protection against modern aerospace attack assets," Shoigu said on Wednesday during a 'government hour' at the Federation Council of Russian Parliament, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The implementation of the intended plans would establish a reliable cover against enemy's "instant global strike" and provide a non-nuclear deterrence against any high-technological aggressor, the Minister said.

"The gained rates will ensure the implementation of the task set by the President of the Russian Federation and to reach the 70% share of modern hardware in service with the (Russian) Armed Forces by end-2020. It will maintain Russia's position as a leading state with developed military," Shoigu added.

Meanwhile, the Russian Navy will receive seven Borey-class nuclear submarines armed with new Bulava missiles by 2021.

"Thirteen submarines, including seven prospective Borey-class ships armed with new Bulava missiles, are planned to be in service with the naval strategic nuclear forces…by 2021," Shoigu said.