Despite Pitfalls, Russia’s Military Modernization Effort Should be Taken Seriously

• The Economist notes that “money and reform have given Russia armed forces it can use.” There are serious remaining weaknesses, and Russia may not sustain this forever, but with more than 20% of public spending dedicated to defense, the current modernization effort is real and in stark contrast with Western Europe’s sagging investments.

• The Russian Air Force says it will start receiving PAK DAs, its next generation long-range bombers, in 2023, after a maiden flight in 2019. Standard caveats about dates associated with development programs apply.

• The same caveat applies to claims by the chief executive of Tactical Missiles Corporation says a modified missile for use on Russia’s 5th-gen fighters should be ready by 2016, with hypersonic missiles coming by 2020.

• The Havana Times prints one Cuban’s view of the recent Cuban-Russian security agreement: “We are constantly demanding the lifting of the blockade, and now we throw everything to the fire.”

• As Eastern European countries fret about Russia renewed assertiveness near their borders, the White House released an overview of NATO and bilateral reassurance measures in Romania.