Projections that Moscow's current defence modernisation programme is unsustainable over the long term are thus far not affecting plans by the Russian Navy (VMF) to build large numbers of new ships. During an invitation-only conference on 31 July Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu stated that possibly beginning this year another 40 ships will be added to the fleet. Shoigu's announcement was made on the annual Russian Naval Fleet Day holiday, which has become a forum in recent years for declaring ambitious - and sometimes unrealistic -plans for the future of the VMF. On this occasion Shoigu declared that the fleet would ultimately receive more than 40 vessels: 12 warships, 8 attack/patrol boats, and 23 support and auxiliary ships. Out of this total commitment six warships and four of the support vessels are currently under construction at shipyards belonging to the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) consortium.
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