More than 95 percent of Russia's nukes are launch-ready, day or night, defense minister says

More than 95 percent of Russia's nuclear launch devices are in a constant state of readiness, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

“Strategic nuclear forces are maintained at a level to serve as a nuclear deterrent. More than 95 precent of the Strategic Missile Forces' nuclear forces are in constant readiness for combat use,” said Shoigu.

Six missile regiments equipped with stationary and mobile systems are on ready alert. “The Strategic Missile Forces' share of modern weapons stands at 51 percent,” the defense minister said.

In contrast, the Russian Armed Forces' share of modernized military equipment stands at 47 percent, of which 89 percent is deployable.

“The challenge in 2015 to have a 30-precent level of modern-equipped forces has been met,” Shoigu announced, saying that the Defense Ministry has managed to stay within its allotted budget by relying on more modern and efficient equipment and training techniques.

At the same meeting with Russian defense officials, Vladimir Putin stressed that military expenditures must be tightly controlled. “I have said this more than once, and I want to emphasize it again: we do not have extra money,” said the president.