Russia's defense spending to rise by 60% by 2013 - paper:
The construction of advanced submarines, including Yasen and Borei class subs, and Bulava ballistic missiles, as well as the construction of three new Talwar class frigates, three Improved Kilo class subs and other vessels for the Russian Black Sea Fleet are likely to require the largest part of the planned spending, Makiyenko said. Ref. Source 4
A Call to Arms
Local Russian News In English
The Russian Defense Ministry has asked the State Duma to extend the period for recruiting conscripts until the end of August, in a bid to boost intake. Enrolment in the Russian armed forces currently begins on April 1 and ends on July 15. Rights activists say the controversial proposal to extend the recruitment period may limit access to university education for school leavers.
Source: Russia Profile.org
WikiLeaks: NATO unimpressed by Russia's military:
Russia's armed forces would be able to respond only to a small-to-mid-sized local conflict in the country's western regions, according to a cable from the U.S. Mission to NATO released Monday on the WikiLeaks secret-spilling site Ref. Source 1
Putin orders troops drilling in western Russia back to base
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military forces engaged in exercises in western Russia to return to base, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian news agency Interfax. The exercises took place in an area which borders Ukraine, although there is no indication the order is tied to the Russian troops deployed within Ukraine. Ref. USAToday
Future Russian army could deploy anywhere in the world - in 7 hours:
In the future, a fleet of heavy transport aircraft will reportedly be capable of moving a strategic unit of 400 Armata tanks, with ammunition, to anywhere in the world. And probably at hypersonic speed, enabling Russia to mount a global military response. Ref. Source 1
Russia announces deepest defence budget cuts since 1990s:
Figures released by the Russian Federal Treasury have confirmed that Russia's defence budget has been cut by 25.5% for 2017, falling from RUB3.8 trillion (USD65.4 billion) to RUB2.8 trillion. Ref. Source 4a.