Russia: September 24, 2003

Archives

Efforts to upgrade the combat capabilities of the armed forces are getting serious. There is now more money for pilots to fly training missions and maintain their skills, and for spare parts and maintenance on aircraft to keep the aircraft flyable. The many combat missions flown in Chechnya have also given Russia hundreds of combat experienced pilots. In  the navy, where money is now available for shipyard refits and spare parts, sailors are getting more experience. There is fuel for more training time at sea than locals around naval bases have seen since the 1980s.  But the army is still a major problem, because there is still no NCO corps (as in Western armies), and too many officers who still thing they are in the Soviet Era Red Army. The army has more money for new equipment and training, but so far true reform has only been implemented in a few divisions and special brigades. The rest of the army is mired in corruption and bad habits.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close