Facing Budget Cuts, Russia Will Seek to Protect Its Military Readiness

Russia’s dire economic situation is forcing it to mull severe austerity measures that will eventually present long-term challenges to Moscow’s military modernization drive, even if the immediate impact doesn’t result in significant capacity reductions. The Russian Finance Ministry suggested austerity measures to cut military spending in the country’s next federal budget, including a potential 10% personnel cut across the armed forces and raising the required years of service to qualify for a military pension. The Russian defense ministry has rejected such measures, which it views as incompatible with its objectives for future military readiness. The Kremlin, meanwhile, communicated that no final decision has been made on military-related austerity measures. Russia’s current economic situation, however, will still make some spending cuts unavoidable....