Abstract
This article discusses the modernization of Russia's military since the 1980s, with a particular focus on developments after Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000. Before invading Ukraine in 2022, Russia had been modernizing its military for years due to geopolitical ambitions and concerns about NATO expansion. Historically, Russia had strong military power, and from the 1980s to the 1990s around the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it began to modernize its military owing to distrust of Western powers. Significant progress in modernization is associated with Nikolai Ogarkov, former Chief of the Soviet General Staff, who launched military reforms with focuses such as improving military technology, integrating various armed forces, and creating joint combat groups.
Russia’s military power then went into decline after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but was rebuilt under Putin's leadership from the 2000s. He pushed for military modernization, reorganized the defense industry, and enhanced military effectiveness. Subsequently, in 2014, Russia invaded Crimea and intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015, testing military readiness and tactics, and enhancing combat experiences.
Starting in 2018, Russia launched another ten-year state armament program, set to continue until 2027 (also known as GPV 2027), with key focuses on strengthening ground forces, improving command control and reconnaissance actions, and enhancing mobility and artillery capabilities. However, since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022, Russia has also suffered significant setbacks in its military modernization, including developing or upgrading of Russian weaponry, manpower, and defense manufacturing, as well as broader economic and trade aspects. These setbacks have not only impacted GPC 2027, but also significantly undermined decades of military modernization achievements. Russia’s military modernization, which was undertaken with the ill-intent of invading countries like Ukraine, can serve as a reference for other countries in evaluating, planning, or reflecting on the purpose and possible outcome of their military modernization in the future.