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Russian President Pledges New Helicopters, Planes For Air Force


Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Zhukovsky outside Moscow at the opening of an international air festival dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force on August 11.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Zhukovsky outside Moscow at the opening of an international air festival dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force on August 11.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeated promises to equip the country's air force with new combat aircraft.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force, Putin said the military would have 600 new warplanes and 1,000 combat helicopters by 2020.

Putin pledged to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to refit and modernize the armed forces while campaigning for president at the start of 2012.

He also vowed on August 11 that social benefits for members of the air force and their families would be increased.

The actual 100th anniversary of Russia's Air Force is August 12.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax

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