Russian defense spending to grow 20% in 2008, to $40 bln

[TorwaK]

MOSCOW, February 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Defense Ministry will spend around one trillion rubles ($40 bln) of federal budget funds in 2008, 20% more than in 2007, a ministry official said on Tuesday.

"The Defense Ministry will spend a little less than one trillion rubles in 2008, which is about 20% more than last year," Deputy Defense Minister Lyubov Kudelina said.

 

She also said that in 2008-10, military spending would account for 15.5-16% of aggregate federal budget expenditure.

 

She said most of the funds would be spent on the maintenance of the armed forces, the procurement and repair of military hardware, scientific and research work, and construction.

 

The official did not say how much would be spent this year on the procurement of new military hardware, but last year's figure was over 300 billion rubles ($12 billion), 20% higher than in 2006.

 

Russia has downsized its Armed Forces to about 1.1 million personnel, but military spending has increased dramatically under President Putin. Defense spending is set to total 1.18 trillion rubles ($45 billion) by 2010.

 

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080226/100080440.html

[Geier]

Great news, aren't they?:thumbup:

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

Cool. Go Russia, go!

[SimFreak]

I wish Russia would take same approach as USAF and create a volunteer professional force. 1.1 mil useless 'cannon meat' is not a way to maintain 1st class military.... IMHO.

[RedTiger]

I wish Russia would take same approach as USAF and create a volunteer professional force. 1.1 mil useless 'cannon meat' is not a way to maintain 1st class military.... IMHO.

 

I wonder what the recruitment pool would be like in Russia. In the US, often times the only branch of the military that doesn't have recruitment problems is the USMC. Other branches have to promise all kinds of benefits and opportunities after your four years are up, the USMC has the attitude of "if you're good enough, maybe you can join us". In general, when economic times are bad, more people sign up. When the job market and economy are healthy, fewer people.

 

This says nothing about people who go to military academies or go to OCS after college, of course. They often have reasons independent of job opportunities and wealth for joining the military.

[EvilBivol-1]

I wish Russia would take same approach as USAF and create a volunteer professional force. 1.1 mil useless 'cannon meat' is not a way to maintain 1st class military.... IMHO.

According to recent official numbers, the Russian military is now about 40% contracted. Also, the conscripted service time is now one year instead of two.

 

I wonder what the recruitment pool would be like in Russia. In the US, often times the only branch of the military that doesn't have recruitment problems is the USMC. Other branches have to promise all kinds of benefits and opportunities after your four years are up, the USMC has the attitude of "if you're good enough, maybe you can join us". In general, when economic times are bad, more people sign up. When the job market and economy are healthy, fewer people.

 

This says nothing about people who go to military academies or go to OCS after college, of course. They often have reasons independent of job opportunities and wealth for joining the military.

In their public statements anyway, the Russian MoD is making it a high priority to increase the incentives of joining the forces. What this amounts to in reality, I don't know.

[SimFreak]

the only branch of the military that doesn't have recruitment problems is the USMC.

 

ROFLOL! That's a good one there.

 

According to recent official numbers, the Russian military is now about 40% contracted. Also, the conscripted service time is now one year instead of two.

 

I still don't see it as professional force; meaning people actually want to stay 20 years and retire. Maybe I watched too many episodes of "Soldati" ....

[RedTiger]

ROFLOL! That's a good one there.

 

I can't tell, are you being sarcastic or are you somehow agreeing with me? I can find some articles that mention this, if you like. I don't claim to know all the facts, what I do know is that it can be harder to join the Corps than other branches of the military. They do not and have never (to my recollection) ever based their recruitment practices on overtly advertising all the benefits and opportunities you'll have AFTER you leave the service.

 

IMO, there are many unique aspects of the USMC that I think contribute to all this.

[SimFreak]

I can't tell, are you being sarcastic or are you somehow agreeing with me? I can find some articles that mention this, if you like. I don't claim to know all the facts, what I do know is that it can be harder to join the Corps than other branches of the military. They do not and have never (to my recollection) ever based their recruitment practices on overtly advertising all the benefits and opportunities you'll have AFTER you leave the service.

 

IMO, there are many unique aspects of the USMC that I think contribute to all this.

 

Yes, I'm being sarcastic... I recall sitting in MEPS and talking to USAF personal about how army and marines were having hard time getting people in....even though requirements for ASVAB are like 10 or 15 ...of course there is always a waver.

[RedTiger]

Yes, I'm being sarcastic... I recall sitting in MEPS and talking to USAF personal about how army and marines were having hard time getting people in....even though requirements for ASVAB are like 10 or 15 ...of course there is always a waver.

 

Hey, I only know what I've read, and TBH that info is a few years old. Fact is, the military as a whole has had problems with recruiting. There are a whole host of obvious reasons as to why a highschool or college graduate wouldn't go into the military in the US, anyone can figure out.

 

My point is that if Russia went to a full volunteer based military, it would be very interesting to see how many people they can recruit. Different culture, different life outlook, different government, different job opportunities, etc. Different military hardware needs too, it would probably become more "Westernized" as you would have better trained professionals operating it. Making it all work after so many years of conscription would be a challenge.

[SimFreak]

There are a whole host of obvious reasons as to why a highschool or college graduate wouldn't go into the military in the US, anyone can figure out.

 

.

 

Figure it out? No...please do tell. (I'm a 4 year USAF vet and going back in as an officer)

 

My point is that if Russia went to a full volunteer based military, it would be very interesting to see how many people they can recruit. Different culture, different life outlook, different government, different job opportunities, etc. Different military hardware needs too, it would probably become more "Westernized" as you would have better trained professionals operating it. Making it all work after so many years of conscription would be a challenge

 

Look in my previous post about professional army. With current shitty pay / medial / support and other issues, I don't see Russian forces becoming anything any times soon. One can wave flag all they want to, but that flag will not support their family with food and housing.

[RedTiger]

Figure it out? No...please do tell. (I'm a 4 year USAF vet and going back in as an officer)

 

Well, better income, first and foremost. That's one of the big reasons people spend so many years and so much money on education, isn't it? Thats why I did, at least. Not because I'm greedy but because I knew that in order to support a family and care for an aging parent (and parents in law) and have plenty left over I would have to make enough money to be comfortable. How much is average pay in the various military branches vs. the pay of the average MBA?

 

Rather than going through the myriad of reasons why most people don't join the military, let me just put this in the most respectful way possible. You know all those people out there driving gas-guzzling SUVs and living comfy lives in big houses? The ones that potentially benefit from YOUR hard work and service to the United States? Well, the road to that cushy life doesn't need to include 4 years of military service. It certainly can include it, but a lot of people opt to go for their education and start a career and never give the military one thought.

 

I don't know what your opinion is on this, but this is case. When I was in highschool, the buddies I had that joined the military did so out of a lack of opportunities elsewhere. Without exception, the friends that had other opportunities pursued those instead.

 

I'd really like to bow out of this discussion about US military recruitment with you because I don't like where this is headed. From the way you post, it suggests that you can indeed figure out why someone wouldn't join the military but you just want to argue about why you don't agree with those reasons. If thats the case I'm sorry you feel that way. Not everyone is cut out for it, be proud that you are! :)

[tflash]

I would agree professionalisation is the way to go.

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

Professional army fights for money. That’s their job, profession. Professional army is an excellent tool to country’s presidents and politicians because they can use it for political reasons. Perfect example of that is the use of the armed forces by the US president, against the US constitution, without Congress approval, against Wars Powers Resolution, Against NATO chapter and against UN chapter. And I am not talking about George W. Bush.

 

By the way, I am an American.

[SimFreak]

Well, better income, first and foremost. That's one of the big reasons people spend so many years and so much money on education, isn't it? Thats why I did, at least. Not because I'm greedy but because I knew that in order to support a family and care for an aging parent (and parents in law) and have plenty left over I would have to make enough money to be comfortable. How much is average pay in the various military branches vs. the pay of the average MBA?

 

Rather than going through the myriad of reasons why most people don't join the military, let me just put this in the most respectful way possible. You know all those people out there driving gas-guzzling SUVs and living comfy lives in big houses? The ones that potentially benefit from YOUR hard work and service to the United States? Well, the road to that cushy life doesn't need to include 4 years of military service. It certainly can include it, but a lot of people opt to go for their education and start a career and never give the military one thought.

 

I don't know what your opinion is on this, but this is case. When I was in highschool, the buddies I had that joined the military did so out of a lack of opportunities elsewhere. Without exception, the friends that had other opportunities pursued those instead.

 

I'd really like to bow out of this discussion about US military recruitment with you because I don't like where this is headed. From the way you post, it suggests that you can indeed figure out why someone wouldn't join the military but you just want to argue about why you don't agree with those reasons. If thats the case I'm sorry you feel that way. Not everyone is cut out for it, be proud that you are! :)

 

I think you have a wrong idea of current military (at least USAF): they increased benefits to compete with civilian world, and some are better.

A 17 years old punk with lips that haven't dried up of milk, after 1 year of tech school will be working on a multi-million dollar aircraft. Try to find same opportunities in civilian world with that much responsibility. (You will not be able to). I'm not a recruiter so I'll stop right here....

 

 

Professional army fights for money. That’s their job, profession. Professional army is an excellent tool to country’s presidents and politicians because they can use it for political reasons. Perfect example of that is the use of the armed forces by the US president, against the US constitution, without Congress approval, against Wars Powers Resolution, Against NATO chapter and against UN chapter. And I am not talking about George W. Bush.

 

By the way, I am an American.

 

I think that can be said by any military force: professional or otherwise; they are all tools in global politics with ultimate goal of self benefit.

[EvilBivol-1]

*Politics warning*