Talk about money down the drain. Predictions: 1.) Russian military will continue to be weak as long as it is based on conscription; 2.) Conscription problems will continue as young men find new ways to avoid the draft; 3.) The demographic crisis will continue and there will be less Russian men to draft; 4.) A good portion of this money will be lost to graft and corruption; 5.) At least 60% of the funding targets will not be reached.
Ping - money not well spent. I see nothing substantial for developing a professional military and increasing the professionalism of its junior officer corps. More than likely, the fat (literally) generals are salivating at the thought of this program ($$$$$$ in their pockets).
"Ivanov said the program would support the development of Russia's strategic nuclear forces."
The Peacekeeper
"As a result of weapons reduction treaties, the Minuteman III missile is now the USA's only remaining land-launched nuclear missile."
"The last MX "Peacekeeper" missile was deactivated yesterday (Sept. 19, 2005). Deactivation began in October 2002 after President Bush set a plan in motion in 2001 to reduce the USA's missile forces from 6,000 to between 1,700 and 2,200. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to follow a similar plan."
"The MX Peacekeeper was the most powerful, accurate missile the USA has ever deployed, capable of carrying up to 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads to any point in the world with unparalleled accuracy."
(The Minuteman III has been operational since 1968.)
defenseindustrydaily.com/