Russia to beef up Syrian military in midterm

Moscow: Russia’s medium-term plans in Syria include improving capability of the Syrian armed forces which would allow relocation of Russian troops in the country to the existing Russian bases, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

“We aim to establish a process of a political settlement (in Syria) between all the sides involved,” Putin also said during a question-and-answer session with citizens.

He said that after boosting the capability of the Syrian military, Russia’s aviation will continue helping it where necessary.

Putin also said Russia’s military industrial complex had benefited greatly from testing its latest weapons in Syria.

Combined with this, the experience acquired by the Russian army in Syria, is “priceless”, he said.