Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: AFP/VNA)

At a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin said military technology is developing rapidly and competition and rivalry are intensifying in the world. He said a new armaments program and a development plan for the military-industrial complex are to be elaborated next year. The main task will be building up the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of weapons and military equipment. Putin expressed serious concern about the active improvement of offensive weapons in leading countries and about the rising number of countries possessing nuclear missiles.