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11 Military Satellites to be Launched by 2015

President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the country will launch a total of 11 military satellites by 2015.

Speaking at a meeting on the development of the Russian satellite fleet, Putin said that five military satellites had already joined the country's orbital group in 2013 and that five more would be added to it before the year is out.

Next year, another six satellites will be launched in line with the state arms procurement program, he said.

Putin did not specify the type of satellites or whether they would include dual-purpose Glonass navigation satellites.

According to Major General Alexander Golovko, the commander of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, Russia currently operates some 120 active satellites in orbit. About 80 of these satellites are reportedly military or dual-purpose.

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