[EagleUSA]

“...They are said to be both the most expensive and technically advanced in the Russian Navy....”

Most expensive, eh? Where is Russia getting all the money to pay for these boats?? Hmmmm??

[Spktyr]

Expensive is relative. Their estimated unit cost is $800 million, where the crappy nearly useless LCS class ships we bought cost between $400 million and $1.8 billion apiece.

As for where they’re getting the money? Petroleum sales are going back up and they do cheerfully sell weapon systems to the world market in large numbers. They also have access to precious metals and such in Siberia.

[billakay]

Russia has one of the largest foreign reserves in the world and virtually zero debt. Their budget is covered every year. they aren't just an oil export shop anymore, having lots of tax revenue from agro (top exporter of wheat in the world) and manufacturing exports now as well.

Russia may be a lot of things but they are not hurting financially.