TechRussia boosts arms production, readying for prolonged Ukraine conflict

Russia boosts arms production, readying for prolonged Ukraine conflict

According to a report published on Friday by The Washington Post, Russia has significantly increased its weapons production and replenished its stocks, making it capable of continuing the conflict in Ukraine for at least another two years. Despite the upsurge in production rates, challenges with incorporating new equipment persist.

War in Ukraine. Russia increases weapons production.
War in Ukraine. Russia increases weapons production.
Images source: © Getty Images | Lynsey Addario

The report highlights a substantial increase in military spending approved by Vladimir Putin at the end of last year, totaling 115 billion dollars, nearly a third of Russia's annual state budget.
In recent months, high-ranking Russian officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, have reported significant increases in the production of military hardware: armored vehicle production has quadrupled, tank deliveries have increased fivefold, and the production of drones and artillery missiles has surged nearly seventeenfold. However, The Washington Post cautions that these figures are unverified and may be inflated through "creative accounting" employed by the Russian military.

Michael Gjerstad, an analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), notes that while Russia has the capacity to produce up to 330 tanks annually, in reality, it manufactures about half that number. Nonetheless, Russia has restored around 1,140 tanks by tapping into old reserves, replenishing those lost in 2023.

Experts emphasize the limited supply of existing equipment and the challenge of developing new types. Pavel Aksenov, a military expert and correspondent for the Russian BBC service, points out that attempts to modernize the T-80 tank have been unsuccessful.

How innovative are the armies

The Washington Post also doubts Russia's ability to field the T-14 Armata tank, which was first showcased at the Victory Day parade in 2015 but is still stuck in the testing phase. Early in 2023, Russian state media hinted at its deployment on the front lines, sparking speculation about its imminent entry into service. However, Sergei Chemezov, head of Russian defense equipment manufacturer Rostech, recently stated that the Armata's high cost prevents its deployment in Ukraine.

To bolster its drone capabilities, deemed even more crucial than tanks in the conflict against Ukraine, Russia has struck a deal with Iran to establish a Shahed drone factory in Tatarstan. It aims to enhance the production of the Russian kamikaze drone Lancet. Strategic transformations, such as converting old shopping centers into drone manufacturing sites, have likely led to a significant increase in production.

Fabian Hinz, an IISS expert, commented, "Russia does not need to become the most innovative army. If they can produce a few effective systems like the Lancet and massively scale up production, that will pose a considerable threat." The Washington Post concludes, emphasizing the potential danger of Russia's manufacturing capabilities.

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