I made my points about Russia to CB repeatedly, that (a) it is not down, not by a long shot, and (b) there is no such thing as friends in the geopolitical arena. Oh well, she didn't believe. Too bad.
Russia: Military Exercises Send a Message To Washington
Aug 16, 2005
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening of the MAKS 2005 international air show at Moscow -- which showcases Russia's most advanced aerospace systems -- before traveling to observe Russian strategic forces exercises in the Arctic Ocean region. Both of these events were timed to begin along with the Russian-Chinese military exercises in China. Together, they demonstrate that Russia can conduct major military operations in at least two theaters thousands miles apart, and serve to reinforce Moscow's message to the United States that Russia remains a formidable military power able to check the U.S. geopolitical offensive in the former Soviet Union.
Analysis
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening day of the MAKS 2005 air show at Zhukovsky Field near Moscow on Aug. 16. Putin then boarded a Russian strategic bomber and observed a combined air and naval exercise in the Arctic Ocean.
Putin's participation in the exercise immediately after visiting a display of Russia's most advanced aerospace technology represents part of Moscow's response to the West's geopolitical offensive in Russia's periphery.
MAKS 2005 showcases the latest in Russian aerospace technology and is attended by 654 foreign companies representing 40 countries. The show is expected to generate millions of dollars of revenue for Russia's aerospace industry. Russian aerospace firms Sukhoi, Ilyushin, MiG, Kamov and Mil will be represented, among others. In addition to U.S. military aircraft, the French air force aerobatic team Patrouille de France and the Italian air force's Frecce Tricolori will also participate. Russia will also display the Kliper, its new three-person space shuttle set for a 2010 launch. Thus far, the international space research and business community has received the Kliper well, in contrast with the U.S. space shuttle program's continued problems.
Show-related sales included a deal by Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, which just signed a multimillion dollar deal for 250 AL-55 engines for India's new jet trainers. The sale included an option for another 1,000 engines to be produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Additionally, the Chinese signed a deal for at least 15 new Russian Tu-204 cargo aircraft. Finally, Jordan's King Abdullah II also attended the air show, meeting with Putin to discuss bilateral trade. King Abdullah might also have been shopping for military hardware: Russian military sources say Putin and King Abdullah discussed future purchase of Russian air and air-defense systems.
Putin then boarded a Tu-160 Blackjack supersonic bomber crewed by high-ranking officers from Russia's long-range strategic air force and flew to the Arctic Ocean. Putin's bomber was one of a flight of Tu-160s that are taking part in combined air and naval exercises. Putin observed as his bomber -- named Pavel Turan -- and another Tu-160 conducted a cruise missile attack exercise. The Russian bombers, flying only 600 feet high at 600 miles per hour, successfully launched two cruise missiles. All aircraft later landed at Olenegorsk air base, close to Norway on the Kola Peninsula.
The missile launch represented the rocket's first test, RIA Novosti news agency reported. In addition, the exercises drew in almost all Russian Northern Fleet combat warships, featuring operations by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and ballistic-missile launches from nuclear submarines.
Of greater significance than providing an opportunity to test new military hardware, however, the Arctic exercises demonstrate Russia's still-powerful military capability, and the increased attention devoted by Russia toward the further development of this capability. The exercises will strengthen Russian strategic forces in the nation's north, which face North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces just across the border and in the adjacent ocean. The goal of the exercises, then, is to test and "create a new strategic aviation formation in the strategic northwestern direction," as 37th Aviation Army Cmdr. Gen. Igor Khrapunov told RIA Novosti.
The Arctic exercises are taking place almost simultaneously with the Peace Mission 2005 joint exercises with China. After Putin's sortie on the Tu-160 with the Northern Fleet, he may choose to make a surprise visit to the Russian-Chinese exercises.
Both exercises serve to reinforce a powerful message to the United States that Russia is still strong and has modern, high-tech means to defend its national interests at the time of a U.S.-led geopolitical offensive against Russia. The exercises are thus intended to show that Russia could successfully resort to military means to stop Washington's encroachment into its adjacent areas, and that Russia has strong allies ready and able to cooperate militarily with Moscow.
Russia is also showing that its armed forces can conduct major military operations in at least two different theaters at the same time -- as in this case where the two exercises are taking place several thousand miles away from each other. In addition to the exercises in China and the Arctic, Moscow is also conducting exercises in the Baltic Sea featuring amphibious landing and simultaneous air drops as well as live-fire naval exercises.
Russian forces are also conducting joint Caspian task force exercises in Kazakhstan, and 2,000 Russian troops are participating in ground exercises in Tajikistan. Russian forces are also scheduled to conduct maneuvers with Russian allies in Uzbekistan in September. With Caspian and Central Asian exercises, then -- though these are much smaller -- Moscow will be active in every strategic theater along its borders where Washington is applying pressure in the span of several days. Increasing the number and scope of military exercises has indeed become a trend in Russia's current security policy under the second Putin administration. |
