Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday in his sixth annual televised question-and-answer session that Russia was working on new types of nuclear weapons as part of a "grandiose" plan to boost the country's defense.

"We will develop missile technology including completely new strategic (nuclear) complexes, completely new," Putin said in an annual televised question-and-answer session with Russian citizens. "Work is continuing and continuing successfully."

"We have plans that are not only big, but grandiose, they are fully realistic. Our armed forces will be more compact but more effective and better ensure Russia's defense," Putin said.