Remaking Russia's Military (Maybe)

Russian troops on an annual military parade on Red Square to mark their victory in World War II.

Remaking Russia's Military: Big Plans, Few Results -- NPR

Every May, Russia displays its military might in a parade on Victory Day, commemorating the surrender of the Nazis to the Soviet Union in World War II.

The marching men and rolling tanks put on an impressive show, but Russia's military, and especially its defense industry, has fallen on hard times.

"The industry, much like other parts of the economy, hasn't seen proper investment for over a decade, if not more," says Lilit Gevorgyan, a Russia analyst for the defense industry consultant IHS Jane's.

During his campaign for president, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised to modernize Russia's army and equip it with new missiles and warplanes.

Putin's campaign also came with strong doses of anti-Western rhetoric.

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My Comment: One of my uncles was based in St. Petersburg employed as a director (one of many) in the development and manufacturing of Russian military satellites. As he mentioned to me a few years ago .... it will take enormous resources and a commitment that must last a decade or two before Russia can come even close to a fraction of what the former Soviet Union had (and was). Sighhh .... if he was reading this NPR piece, I can see him now nodding his head in agreement.

Update: This story illustrates how pathetic the Russian military has become.