Op-Ed: Putin plans Russian military modernization

During his political campaign, Putin says he will spend billions to build up Russia’s military as a safeguard against the current international uncertainty. This one issue appears to find agreement among all Russians.

According to the Washington Post, Putin promises Russian military buildup. Before his return to power, Putin laid out his ambitious plans for modernizing and strengthening Russia’s defense forces over the next decade to face a more threatening globe and the United States’ military power. Putin argued that Russia’s military response to the U.S. missile defense shield must be operational and asymmetrical. His promise to increase defense spending and modernize Russia’s forces is not new. Putin stated Russia will put more than 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) into service during this decade, along with eight nuclear-powered submarines, 600 advanced combat aircraft, 2,300 tanks, and an array of other advance weapon systems. A few military analysts remain skeptical that he can accomplish such an arms buildup, according to the Washington Post. As reported by Times Union, Putin believes that Russia needs to modernize its military arsenals to deter others from grabbing its resources. Prior to his return to the Russian presidency, Putin stated the government plans on spending roughly $770 billion during the next decade for the development and procurement of 400 ICBMs, more than 600 advance warplanes, 12 advanced submarines and other naval weapon systems along with many more armored vehicles. According to analysts, although a nuclear conflict against the U.S. appears unlikely, scientific and technological progression causes new weapon systems emergence that could transform warfare tactics, techniques, and procedures. Putin has referred to the U.S. designed precision guided ICBM non-nuclear weapon systems as the key modern warfare development. Russian leaders have concerns about the U.S. strategy to re-equip many of its nuclear ICBMs with conventional, nuclear, or more advanced warheads, according to Times Union. Analysts have warned Putin that the obsolete equipment and the aging workforce at Russian defense plants could create a challenge to his ambitious weapons modernization program. Putin said the government would need to focus on modernizing weapons-making plants, promising to encourage private investments in arms production, according to Times Union. Analysis Regardless of the corrupt nature of Russia's recent elections, many Russians are seeking national security because their fears have grown during the recent global economic uncertainty and Mideast unrest. The Arab Spring uprising and the dictators’ deaths, the U.S. strategy to place an advance missile defense shield in eastern Europe, and the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions leave many Russians feeling unsafe from Western aggression. Putin's promise to modernize Russia’s aging military is highly attractive to troubled Russians. Putin assured the concerned public that Russia would develop the technology to counter the U.S. missile defense shield by developing advance weapon systems with the capability to penetrate any defense system. Although the U.S. government is only seeking to build the missile defense shield in eastern Europe as a protection against rogue states, like Iran. Russia has dismissed this argument by insisting that the U.S. wants to weaken Russia's nuclear capability. Putin will use this argument to promote a new Russian nationalism because many Russians, particularly the youth, are leaving the country rapidly.