Russia will get 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, military chief says
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, chairs a Security Council meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service) (The Associated Press)
The chief of Russia's General Staff says the military will receive 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, maintaining a high tempo of modernization despite the nation's economic downturn.
Gen. Valery Gerasimov's statement Friday comes amid spiraling Russia-West tensions over Ukraine, where fighting between pro-Russia rebels and government forces flared up anew this month after a period of relative calm.
Gerasimov said weapons modernization should prevent the U.S. and NATO from achieving military superiority over Russia.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said the development of strategic nuclear forces is the top priority, adding that Russia will counter NATO's U.S.-led missile defense system by deploying weapons capable of penetrating the shield.
Gerasimov said that Russia is also developing long-range precision conventional weapons in response to the U.S. Prompt Global Strike program.