"Russia's Military Is Back" Topic

"One of the distinguishing characteristics of Vladimir Putin's presidency has been his commitment to revitalizing Russia's military. Putin, who has noted that Russia's perceived weakness makes it vulnerable to external pressure and internal disruption, is pushing for increased funding to transform the Russian armed forces from the debilitated remnants inherited from the old Soviet superpower military machine into a smaller, but more modern, mobile, technologically advanced and capable twenty-first century force.

Earlier this year, in an address delivered on the day devoted to the "defenders of the Fatherland," the Russian president proclaimed: "Ensuring Russia has a reliable military force is the priority of our state policy. Unfortunately, the present world is far from being peaceful and safe. Long obsolete conflicts are being joined by new, but no less difficult, ones. Instability is growing in vast regions of the world."

This is not empty talk. The rhetoric has been matched by a concurrent allocation of resources; Russia is now engaged in its largest military buildup since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than two decades ago, with major increases in defense spending budgeted each year to 2020. Putin has pushed for this program even over the objections of some within the Kremlin who worried about costs and the possible negative impact on Russian prosperity; opposition to the expansion of military spending was one of the reasons the long-serving Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin left the cabinet two years ago.

The rest of the world is taking notice…"
Full article (4 pages)here
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Amicalement
Armand

The probelem that Russia will have is the same one that the West has now – manpower costs. It is easier to build up forces if you don't pay your soldiers and manufacturing employees much, but in the current situation worker's wages will take an increasing amount proportion of the budget until they reach near parity with Western wages.

Realistically, Russia's annual defence budget seems to be about 1.5x that of the UK or France. At the moment, this is enough for them to pay for a 'bigger' military than the UK and France combined; go forward 10-20 years this is unlikely to be the case, especially if the UK or France start increasing their defence expenditures.

At this point it appears Russia's biggest threat is home grown with the Chechans … that's a good reason as any to build up and modernize. But I don't think the West is going to have to worry much about a massive armor thrust from the Russians into Europe, as was the concern during the Cold War.

I expect (after the Chechens) Russian strategists are keeping an eye on China and their defense spending. I suspect China is a stronger motivational force for an increase in defense spending than the west.

China does appear to be on a bit of a military spending spree … and both the Russians and the PRC share borders …

I don't think smiling soldiers marching in HD video filmed parades equates to a "Military is Back" statement. They are no where near the Soviet era strength. There will be a lot of things going on in that area in the future. I don't see why Putin & co would sent tanks West. They send all of Russia's natural resources West instead.