Posted on 10/26/2009 10:57:58 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev criticised on Monday the pace of military-industrial modernisation, saying it is affecting the quality of Russian weapons and harming national prestige. "Considerable funds have been invested over the past few years to develop the military-industrial complex. So far the results are mediocre," Medvedev said on Russian television.
"Unfortunately we carry on filling in holes and the objectives for technological modernisation have not been achieved," the Russian president added.
"The quality of military production for the Russian army and foreign exports is causing justified concern from clients," added Industry Minister Viktor Khristenko, speaking at a meeting on the issue and quoted by Interfax.
"We must not give up the position we have had difficulty reaching. It would be a blow to the reputation of Russian weapons and the country," Khristenko said.
Russia last year had its biggest year for arms sales since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with a total equivalent to 8.35 billion dollars (5.59 billion euros), according to figures announced in February by the Russian president
(Excerpt) Read more at spacewar.com ...
Thats right, Mr. President, those wonderful communist policies for so many generations have developed such great “motivation” within people to make the best...how them chickens are a roosting huh?
I’d say this is a welcome problem for us.
Must be the “great leap forward” type stuff.
Quality control was always a bugaboo for the Russians during the Cold War years. Their engineers and programmers were always among the best in the world, but their heavy and hi-tech industries were inefficient and often had substandard this or that. I once remember reading about a batch of T-62’s that were having catastrophic engine failures. Turns out the inside of the oil lines hadn’t been properly polished/buffed and fine metal fragments were accumulating in the oil (and thus ruining their engines).
I know there’s been a LOT of changes since those days, but it does seem that the Russians still have some problems to work out on the production lines.
This can be seen in two ways
First, and most would assume this, that Russia is still weak and unreliable.
Second, and the most likely scenario in my eyes, is to whip up the Russian public and to justify putting even more money into the Russian military buildup while continuing to keep the analysts in the West to underestimate Russian capabilities. Continue to sell junk to India and other countries that are nonaligned, while selling the good stuff to allies only and keeping it for yourself.
Another problem that Russia has that many of their top scientists have left Russia for countries like North Korea, Iran,Pakistan and Syria.Russian scientists abroad earn on average from $3,000 to $7,000 a month, while in Russia their average salary is under 3,000 rubles [about $95].
I heart him being unhappy, what with having a traitor in the WH and all...we can use all the help we can get.
Institute a buy American policy!
I don’t believe him. I think he was poking a finger in zero’s eye by making it obvious that they’re selling weapons.....with everyone knowing they’re going to our enemies.
I’m sure the Ukrainians and Georgians will be able to tell us soon enough just how good the Russki weaponry is.
Yeah, like that darn AK-47.
A Russian weapon that just has TERRIBLE quality control. Stupid thing is loose, loud, and cheaply built.
Yet, somehow, some way, it has argueably the reputation as one of the most outstanding weapon of the 20th century.
How does THAT work??
Quality contrl isn't always the issue. Sometimes the success or failure of a weapon system just happens....remember the Osprey? A great idea, but.....
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