Russia should develop its naval aviation at a faster pace in the wake of foreign navies building up their aviation component, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, opening a series of traditional defense industry meetings in Sochi.

"Considering that foreign states are building up their naval forces through the deliveries of advanced nuclear-powered submarines, aircraft-carrying, strike and drone ships, we need to develop naval aviation at a faster pace, primarily, by outfitting the Navy with cutting-edge aircraft and air-launched weapons and large-scale modernization of operational systems," the head of state said.

The Russian supreme commander-in-chief said that he expected a report at the defense industry meeting on what was being done to solve this task.

"It is necessary to actively continue the course for the Navy’s technical upgrade," Putin stressed.