Part 3: The Russian Defense Industry

Russian military hardware gets a bad rap from Western analysts, who unfairly use Western standards to evaluate it. Even the best Soviet equipment — much of which is still quite capable and relevant — was designed with lower quality control, mass production and crude maintenance in mind (for easier use by poorly trained conscripts). The fact that some production capacity has endured through the hardships of the post-Soviet era is remarkable, representing a solid technological footing for military reform. Moving forward, it all depends on how innovative the defense sector can be. Editor’s Note: This is part three of a four-part series on the reformation of the Russian military.