OREANDA-NEWS. Vladimir Putin was briefed on the Command Centre's operation and held a meeting with Defence Ministry officials.

Vladimir Putin heard a report via videoconference that the Voronezh-DM early warning radar station has been put on combat duty in Armavir.

In addition, the Commander-in-Chief was briefed on the permanent task force of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean, whose headquarters and operational command have been formed.

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PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Mr Shoigu, officers,

Today, I expect to hear your report on the Voronezh-DM new generation radar system. I know that it passed state tests successfully in April and May, which confirmed the highest performance characteristics.

Modern radars must be an important link in the missile warning system, seriously enhancing the combat potential of Russia’s aerospace defence on the southern and south-western strategic directions. Suffice it to say that the Voronezh-DM radar station will completely take over the functions previously performed by the Dnepr and Daryal systems, which are located in the Ukraine and in Azerbaijan, respectively; in Mukachevo and Sevastopol, Ukraine, and Gabala in Azerbaijan.

Thus, we will strengthen our security guarantees in the priority directions. We must have the ability to monitor the situation and respond rapidly to any changes in the world and in these regions.

I have met with the new radar system’s developers and I know its technical capabilities. We have honoured our scientists’ achievements in this field. Radar station allows us to literally look over the horizon, to detect even the most inconspicuous object and to detect in a fraction of a second various types of missile launches hundreds and even thousands of kilometres away from our borders. We will continue to supply such equipment and new generation weapons to the aerospace defence troops.

Voronezh-M, another modern radar complex, was put into service in December 2011 in the Leningrad Region. The next step is Voronezh-DM radar in Armavir. Overall, seven more such stations will be put into operation by 2018.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the creation of this system, including the scientists and engineers whom I have already mentioned and who as I said, were honoured at the highest state level. As for those who will serve at the station, I wish you every success.

Another issue we will discuss today is related to the formation of the Russian Navy task force in the Mediterranean. As you know, our ships were stationed in that area permanently in the past. This is a strategically important region, where we have interests related to the national security of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we are talking about creating the conditions for the continued presence of Russian warships in the Mediterranean today. Please report on what solutions you have found.

Let's get to work. Go ahead, please.

DEFENCE MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU: Comrade Commander-in-Chief,

The deployment of the radar complex in Armavir and creation of the Russia Navy task force in the Mediterranean will contribute to strategic stability in the world and the balance of power in some regions. This is the result of a systemic and planned efforts carried out by the national military and political leadership in order to strengthen national defence.

The centre in Armavir is equipped with the Voronezh-DM new generation early warning radar station, which meets the latest requirements of aerospace defence. The complex will allow us to monitor the near-Earth space and extend the capabilities of the missile warning system in the south and south-west directions.

The resumption of Russian warships’ permanent presence in the Mediterranean will ensure the protection of national interests in this currently troubled region.

The Navy task force will perform a wide range of tasks to ensure Russia’s naval presence and economic activities in the Mediterranean.

The General Staff supervised the radar’s preparation for deployment and the formation of the Navy task force. Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces General Gerasimov will report on these issues.