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Army to Get 180 New Aircraft by End of Year

A Russian military helicopter flies above fields near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in Rostov Region, Russia.

The Russian Air Force will add at least 180 new planes and helicopters to its fleet by the end of 2014, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia is busy modernizing its entire military, and the aircraft deliveries are just one part of a massive $700 billion modernization drive through 2020.

"The armed forces are actively introducing modern aviation. This year alone, the forces will have received more than 230 aircraft," Shoigu said.

Fifty the new aircraft have already entered into service this year, he said.

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