Russia plans upgrade of nuclear deterrent

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an upgrade of Russia's nuclear deterrent and the modernization of its armed forces. He has announced plans to build a new air and space defense network and to begin large-scale production of warships, including nuclear submarines. Medvedev said Russia must make the modernization of its military a priority in light of the recent war with Georgia. He says this should be done by 2020, and has given military commanders until December to come up with a plan. The Russian president spoke Friday during a meeting with officers after military exercises in the southern Orenburg region. His remarks were posted on the Kremlin Web site and carried in full by state news agencies.