When Two Narratives Clash: The Current State of Russia’s Military Industry
One narrative suggests that Russia’s military industry is on the brink of collapse due to depleted reserves.
Between 2022 and 2025, Russia re-deployed over 4,000 tanks, with only a fraction of them being in optimal condition. The analysis indicates that the pace of tank withdrawal slowed as Russia had to rely on tanks in increasingly poor condition. Despite having thousands of tanks in storage, their technical state poses a challenge for restoration, leaving Moscow with an estimated 1,200 operational tanks.
On the other hand, a contrasting narrative paints Russia as a military powerhouse outpacing NATO.
General Christopher G. Cavoli highlights Russia’s production of tanks, armored vehicles, and missiles, surpassing NATO in output.
The reality is a combination of both narratives.
Russia has depleted much of its stockpile and faces challenges in maintaining its military equipment. While it may produce more in certain categories than NATO, the quality and sustainability of its output are questionable. The Russian military industry’s current capabilities may exceed NATO’s, but long-term competition with Europe remains uncertain.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia is not facing a collapse in its military-industrial, economic, or social sectors.
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