(Sample Material) Study Kit on Current Affairs for UPSC Mains Examination
Biodiversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management: Revival of the Russian Military: An Assessment
Rajorshi Roy
Russia’s military intervention in Syria – its first beyond its immediate neighbourhood since the end of the Cold War – highlights the significant transformation that its armed forces have gone through. The mobility and reliability of both men and machines during the operations in Syria stand in sharp contrast to their performance during the 2008 Georgia War, when nearly two decades of neglect had exposed crippling vulnerabilities. The success of this turnaround can be attributed to the USD 300 billion 10-year modernisation programme initiated in 2010, which envisioned structural and functional changes in the armed forces. While its incipient results emerged during the Crimean takeover, it is the Syrian intervention that has provided a real insight into the qualitative shift in capabilities. One can even argue that the Syrian intervention has given a new dimension to Russia’s foreign policy. This assumes significance given Moscow’s attempts to project itself as a pole in international affairs. Against this backdrop, the pertinent questions are: What are the key qualitative and quantitative changes being implemented in the Russian military? And, what role do they play in influencing the Kremlin’s foreign policy?
Military Modernisation and Reforms
The 2010 modernisation programme envisaged structural reforms at three levels – personnel, equipment, and military industrial complex. As such, one of the most vital doctrinal shifts has been the emphasis on mobility and flexible deployments.1 This is in sharp contrast to the mass mobilisation of the Soviet Army, which ruined the element of surprise. The focus, therefore, has been on re-organising divisions into brigades, and promoting inter-services integration. Each military district commander now controls all units in that zone, with the National Cent for Defence (NTSU) in Moscow being the supreme command and control centre. The air force, space force and aerospace defence force have been merged into the unified Aerospace Forces (VKS). A key priority also involves increasing the Russian military footprint in the Arctic, and strengthening non-conventional and cyber capabilities. Meanwhile, the much maligned conscription (‘kontraktniki’) service has been reduced from two to one year. Wages have been increased across the board, and housing and pension disbursement made more robust. These have helped attract personnel during a period of acute economic crisis. As a result, professional soldiers have outstripped conscripts for the first time in Russian history. Their combat readiness is being frequently tested through snap military exercises.