Moscow (AP): President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the show of tanks and other military hardware at this year's Victory Day parade should not be seen as sabre-rattling.

For the first time since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the annual military parade in Red Square is to include heavy military equipment including tanks and missiles.

The equipment's return underlines Russia's new assertiveness as the country increases defence spending to revive its military after years of post-Soviet decline.

Russia over the past year has resumed well-publicised long-range bomber patrols and has proclaimed the development of sophisticated new weapons.

Those steps, combined with Russia's increasing proclivity to criticise the West, are seen by many as signs of growing aggressiveness.

But Putin dismissed criticism that the parade shows Russia is becoming bellicose, telling a Cabinet meeting, "This isn't sabre-rattling. We are not threatening anyone and are not intending to do so."

The meeting was Putin's last with the Cabinet as president. On Wednesday, his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is to be inaugurated.

But Putin is expected to be named prime minister the following day.

The Victory Day parade on Friday is one of Russia's most solemn and resonant public observances, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. An estimated 27 million Soviets died in World War II. Although few veterans of the conflict remain alive, the war is seen as the paragon of Russian military power and valour.