Vladimir Putin: Proportion of Contract Servicemen in Russian Army Will Grow along with Russia's Economy

Speaking to the crew of the Marshal Shaposhnikov antisubmarine destroyer, President Vladimir Putin said, 'Both social and monetary factors are important as Russia's army becomes that of contract servicemen'.

According to the President's press service, Mr. Putin stated that, 'As the country's economy grows, so will her ability to form an army of contract servicemen, which is the tendency that must prevail in the future'. The president called this transition 'Number one objective'. He also said that before discussing the issue any further, the experiment with service on contract that continued in the Pskov 76th Airborne Division must be completed'

Mr. Putin also said that the tour of duty could be shortened as the number of contract servicemen grew and stated that there would be no longer tour of duty.