Russia's armed forces. Reforms and challenges. In-Depth Analysis

Description

EPRS (European Parliamentary Research Service), European Union, 2015. - 28 с.ISBN 978-92-823-7027-8.This paper describes the current state of the Russian armed forces, with a summary of the reforms undertaken to make them more effective and the remaining challenges. Data comparing Russia' military capabilities with those of its international competitors are also included.Historical background.Russian military reform, 2008-2012.Pre-reform: problems inherited from the Soviet armed forces.Obsolete structures.Obsolete weaponry.Hazing.Inadequate human resources.The 2008 Georgian War highlights Russian military weakness.'New Look' reforms.Previous reform efforts.Anatoliy Serdyukov's reform drive.Anatoliy Serdyukov's legacy.Post-reform: continuing modernisation challenges.Personnel challenges.Recruitment difficulties.Meanwhile, the number of conscripts is falling.Improved training.Equipment challenges.New weapons: already delivered or in the pipeline.Can Russia meet its target for 70% of modern weapons by 2020?Reasons for slow progress towards the 70% target.Military capability — comparison with other military powers.Conventional capability.Nuclear capability.Hybrid warfare.Russia's sophisticated use of hybrid warfare in Ukraine.Advantages of a hybrid approach to military conflict.How is NATO responding to Russian hybrid warfare?Russia vs. NATO: how much of a threat are the Russian armed forces?.Main references.Map of The Russian armed forces in Eurasia and the world.