Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (TASS)

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pointed out on Tuesday that Russia will focus on improving drones and the invulnerabilities of fighter aircraft and bombers to modern air defense systems to boost the Aerospace Forces’ combat potential this year.

"Our immediate plans are to expand the arsenal of modern strike weapons," Shoigu indicated at the Ministry’s conference call.

"We will raise the combat potential of the Aerospace Forces both with regard to the capabilities of fighters and bombers to operate in areas of modern air defense systems and the upgrade of unmanned aerial vehicles," the Russian Minister said.

At the Foreign Ministry's end-of-the-year board meeting, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Shoigu stressed the need to accept three Tu-160M missile-carrying bombers for service in Russia's airborne strategic nuclear forces in 2023.

In late November, Shoigu noted that Russian troops were testing new methods of the combat employment of missile troops and artillery during the war in Ukraine, primarily through reconnaissance and strike systems that included drones, as per TASS.

Russia to continue developing nuclear triad

In a similar context, Shoigu said Russia intends to continue forging ahead with its nuclear triad in 2023.

"We will continue to develop the nuclear triad and maintain its combat readiness because the nuclear shield remains the main guarantee of our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," he further stressed.

Shoigu revealed in late December that the share of advanced equipment provided to the county’s strategic nuclear forces had reached 91.3%, affirming that the nuclear triad is maintained at a level where strategic deterrence is guaranteed.

Russia to use AI in 2023

Elsewhere, the Russian Defense Minister highlighted that the command and communications system of Russia’s Armed Forces will be upgraded in 2023 with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

"We need to improve the control and communications system. To this end, we will actively use the technologies of artificial intelligence," Shoigu said.