MOSCOW, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia will fully equip its entire naval infantry with advanced weaponry by 2015, the Navy said Friday.

    "The naval infantry will receive T-90 tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, BRDM-3 armored reconnaissance vehicles, 120-mm 2C31 Vena self-propelled guns, modernized air defense systems and small arms," the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing the Navy statement.

    As part of the Navy, the naval infantry, which has a total of about 12,000 personnel, consists of three brigades, two independent regiments and two independent battalions.

    President Dmitry Medvedev said in September that one of the most important issues for Russia's armed forces was to reform the navy in the coming decade.

    He said in March that Russia's armed forces would undergo comprehensive rearmament beginning in 2011.