MOSCOW (Interfax) -- The Russian military's decision to set up a new military arm, the Space Force, is not a response to U.S. plans for a national missile defense, Sergei Ivanov, Moscow's newly appointed minister of defense, said on Wednesday.

Ivanov also said the Russian armed forces' centralized command structure will remain in place and the general staff will continue to report to the defense minister

The Space Force is a "versatile arm of the armed forces" that is "to work in the interest of all the[armed]services," including the land forces, the minister told Russia's RTR television.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Ivanov's new role at a Kremlin conference, amid a flurry of other top-level military appointments.

Ivanov formerly served as Security Council secretary, as well as head of the military reform commission. In light of this latter responsibility, Putin said it would be logical if Ivanov took the lead in carrying out the reforms the commission had recommended.

Putin thanked outgoing Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, stressing that Sergeyev will remain on the team as a presidential aide.

"Sergeyev and I spoke earlier and arrived at the conclusion that in the present conditions it is necessary for the defense minister to be a civilian," Putin said.

He said Sergeyev submitted his resignation and it was accepted.

Putin praised Sergeyev's contributions to the development of the Armed Forces and, in particular, his role in the formation of the Strategic Rocket Force.