Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia was developing and testing the most modern nuclear missile systems in the world.‘‘We are conducting research and are testing the most modern nuclear missile systems, which, I am sure, will be supplied to the armed forces in the near future. What is even more important, these systems will have no analogues within other nuclear powers during the next few years,’’ Putin told a conference of the top Russian military brass here.Setting tasks for the Russian Defence Ministry, Putin also said that he supported Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov’s proposal to create a central agency for the procurement of weapons and military hardware. Ivanov said that Russia can guarantee the safety of nuclear weapons. ‘‘We possess everything necessary to safely protect our nuclear arsenals from any forms of unsanctioned access and to prevent possible accidents,’’ he said.He said that in 2005, the Russian Armed Forces will receive four strategic missiles, nine space aircraft and five missile carriers. The Land Forces will get two Iskander-M launchers, 17 T-90 tanks and three sets of Armoured Personnel Carriers (92 BTR-80). Two new ships will be introduced for the Navy. The Air Force will get one new and one repaired Tu-160 strategic bomber, seven modernised Su-27SM fighter planes and new high-powered rockets.
