Russian Airborne Troops transformed into the Rapid Reaction Forces

Russia should consider using its Airborne Troops as rapid reaction forces, said Wednesday in Moscow Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.

"We must ensure the implementation of the program of defense of the Russian Federation and consider the use of airborne troops as a rapid reaction force in case it would be necessary to resolve crises in an operational way," said M . Shoigu at an enlarged meeting of the College of the Ministry of Defence.

The Minister also noted the need to prepare the military infrastructure of the cities with the arrival of new equipment and weapons in 2013. "All the cities to be closed should be given to regional and municipal authorities," added M.Choïgou.