Russia: March 8, 2004

Archives

Despite promises to reform and rebuild the armed forces, corruption and incompetence are still more abundant than reform. While more weapons are being bought, the government is late with payments for weapons and equipment. The government demands rock bottom prices for new weapons, but in return helps the arms firms sell their equipment overseas. Draft dodging is rampant, with only about 30 percent of conscripts found physically, morally (not convicted of felonies) or mentally fit for duty. To counter this, more "volunteer" units are being established, using higher paid and better trained troops. But the generals still resist elimination of conscription.

X

ad

Help keep us a float!

Your support helps us keep our ship a float. We appreciate anyway you chose to help out. Visit us daily, subscribe, donate, and tell your friends.

You can support us in the following ways:

  1. 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.
  2. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
  3. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on X.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close