Russia's arms surge: Producing more tanks than the rest of the world despite sanctions
The Russian state news agency, TASS, citing documents from the Russian Ministry of Defense, reported that Putin's army received "over 1500 tanks, over 2200 armored combat vehicles, over 1400 missile vehicles and artillery, and over 22,000 unmanned airships". In addition to this, it's alleged that 12,000 motor vehicles were handed over, around 10% of which, or about 1400 vehicles, were armored. It remains unclear which models were supplied - whether they were modern military equipment, older versions, or upgraded models pulled from warehouses.
It is challenging to verify the credibility of the information regarding the volume of military equipment delivered. Please remember that spreading disinformation and propaganda is a significant element of ongoing warfare.
Unstoppable Russian arms industry
Official data are striking, especially considering that in previous years the Russians were said to be producing about 200 new machines annually, as reported by the Army Recognition website, citing Russian military expert Viktor Murachovsky's words. He also asserted that the delivery of tanks notably increased in 2023, and that various tank models, from older ones like T-54, T-55, or T-62 to the latest types like T-90M Proryv, often dubbed "Putin's pride", were deployed to the army.
Professor Vladimir Ponomariow from the Institute of Security and International Development, a Russian oppositionist and former minister in the Russian Federation government responsible for economics, discussed the transformations that Russia has instigated related to the war. These majorly impact its arms industry. As he emphasized, "following the initial unsuccessful stage of the war in Ukraine, Putin ordered full mobilization of the Russian arms industry and transitioned the economy to wartime mode. In 2023 alone, 30% of the state budget was expended directly on armaments and maintaining the army."
This aforementioned shift has resulted in an expansion of the Russian arms industry's capabilities. Prof. Ponomariow notes that "Russians now produce more tanks than the rest of the world, including the United States and the European Union." However, in most instances, these are not the latest models, but outdated versions. Nevertheless, their quantity is significantly high. Russians are also escalating the production of missiles and artillery systems, which are as essential for war as tanks.
Are Western sanctions ineffective?
Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia and export control measures, production of military equipment hasn't decreased. Quite the contrary, according to official Russian data, Moscow is supplying its army with more tanks and drones than before the war outbreak. It's difficult to discuss their quality and effectiveness. However, the figures imply that the sanctions are no deterrent for the arms industry. This notion is supported by Prof. Ponomariow - "sanctions imposed on Russia are not having the intended effects. They are not hindering Putin's war efforts. Last year, Russia earned more from oil and gas sales than in the year before the war in Ukraine started."
According to the expert, Russia also doesn't encounter significant issues in securing components necessary for continuous production of military equipment. "Modern components required for weapons production come from smuggling. It has not been curtailed, but prices have skyrocketed. Essentially, for producing modern weapons, Putin receives everything via smuggling from the West. There are also deliveries from China, or for instance, missiles from North Korea. While the latter are also outdated, their quantity greatly bolsters Russia, " states Prof. Ponomariow.
In reality, this means that aside from its domestic production, Russia can also rely on foreign deliveries. It receives support from countries such as Iran and North Korea. A case in point is the attempts to replenish dwindling pre-war stocks of ballistic missiles, the production capabilities of which are limited. On Thursday, January 4th, the White House accused North Korea of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles utilized for attacks on Ukraine. The New York Times reports that, according to American officials, missiles produced by North Korea were sent to Russia in violation of UN restrictions.
It is believed that Russia could have received numerous short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea, such as missiles from the KN-18, KN-23, KN-24, and KN-25 family, that have a range of 236 to 429 miles. There are also talks of supplies of artillery ammunition and unguided rockets. Moscow may be also negotiating with Iran. The deal for missile deliveries is yet to be finalized, but an agreement could soon be reached. Consequently, Russia could get Fateh-110 missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 186 miles away.
Thus, Moscow is exploring various ways to maintain an ample supply of military equipment and replenishing casualty counts on the battlefield. Data on the latter fluctuate depending on the sources offering them.
