Medvedev Promises Better Arms for Military

May 9, 2011 By Thomas Grove and Andrey Ostroukh/Reuters AviationWeek.com

MOSCOW - President Dmitry Medvedev marked the anniversary May 9 of allied victory over Nazi Germany with a promise to arm Russian troops with the latest weapons and push reform of a military plagued by low morale and poor equipment. Medvedev made the pledge as Russia’s biggest missiles and most advanced tanks rumbled through Moscow’s Red Square to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the end of World War II. Analysts say most of Russia’s arms are upgraded versions of weapons made 20 years ago. Although the world’s second biggest arms exporter, a lack of investment and political will has prevented its own forces from getting new hardware. “The state will do everything so that our soldiers are adequately outfitted, so that the modernization of our armed forces is actively carried out, and so that troops have the most modern technology,” Medvedev said before a parade where 20,000 troops saluted him and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The celebration of Nazi Germany’s surrender has been a staple of Soviet and Russian pride since World War II ended in 1945, giving leaders a chance to draw on patriotism and show off military might in annual ceremonies. In contrast to Western military budget cutting, Putin has promised to spend 20 trillion rubles ($718 billion) over the next 10 years to renew Russia’s armaments, including new submarines, nuclear missiles and air defense systems. Russia has been struggling for years to reform its armed forces, dogged by low morale and poor living conditions since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. While Russia crushed Georgia in a five-day war in 2008, the short conflict exposed technical problems and aging equipment.

FABRIC OF THE ARMY

The Victory Day holiday marking the end of World War II, during which Russia says 27 million Soviet citizens died, is among the most sacred in Russia and military units practise for nearly five months leading up to the celebrations. Weaponry on display May 9 included Topol missiles, T-90 tanks and military helicopters. But Russian military equipment is often outdated. “These systems were developed 20 years ago and they are produced in miniscule quantities today,” said military analyst Alexander Golts in a recent comment. Other military reforms aimed at boosting the number of professional soldiers will change the fabric of the army, as a fall in the birth rate is eating away at the number of conscripts called to mandatory service every year. Many young Russians say they pay bribes averaging $5,000 to avoid the doing military service, renowned for harsh conditions and endemic bullying. Medvedev has promised to boost the army’s professional contingent by next year. Monday’s parade in Moscow, and others across Russia are expected to cost about $43 million.