The prime minister also said the government should create a proper environment to curb rampant corruption in the country. That, in his opinion, could be reached by limiting face-to-face contacts between citizens and state officials via wider use of electronic services and the Internet.

Putin confirmed the government had not been intending to limit freedom of the Internet, despite some special services' concerns that uncontrolled online activity could undermine the state's security.

Russia needs to be strong to withstand challenges

During his more than two-hour speech, Putin also warned that "economic weakness" would undermine the country's national sovereignty. However, he didn't elaborate what the external pressures were.

"Russia must be independent and strong enough to avoid a rough dictate and outer infringement (into its affairs)," he said.

For that purpose, Russia would double production of the first-strike missile systems Yars, Bulava and Iskander-M from 2013, Putin said.

He said the Russian Air Force had already received new S-400 systems and the production of S-500 systems, which can destroy targets in space, "will be started in the future."

The upgrade of Russia's Air Force and air defense system would be a priority in the coming days, Putin said, adding a new Rus-M rocket designed for manned space launches would be built by 2015.

"This will secure our complete independence in space," Putin said.