The central commands of Russia's Air Force, Navy and Ground Forces will be retained but some of their functions will be transferred to integrated strategic commands, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Wednesday.

This will help streamline the military command and control system, he said.

"The command and control system should have three tiers at the most. Our old system had up to 16 levels - that was something unimaginable. Now their functions will be clearly defined and everyone will be responsible for his unit," the minister said.

The streamlining of central command personnel will continue, he added.

"Some sub-units will be downsized and some, quite to the contrary, enlarged," he said.

Under a military district reform plan, the number of military districts is to be reduced to four from six by December 1 and reorganized as tactical-strategic commands.

MOSCOW, September 8 (RIA Novosti)