Putin: Russia's military is stronger than any potential foe

[webfact]

Putin: Russia's military is stronger than any potential foe 
NATALIYA VASILYEVA, Associated Press

 

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's military today can overpower any potential foe but should strengthen its nuclear arsenal, President Vladimir Putin told an annual end-of-year meeting Thursday with defense chiefs.

 

"We can say with certainty: We are stronger now than any potential aggressor," he told the meeting. "Anyone!"

 

His comments come at the end of a year when tensions between Russia and the West have remained on edge over the civil war in Syria.

 

Tensions between Russia and the West have been souring ever since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and surreptitious support of separatists in eastern Ukraine. Relations dipped further after Russia last year launched an air offensive in Syria to support President Bashar Assad.

 

Both Russia and NATO members have conducted a flurry of military drills near Russia's borders this year. Russia insists it is responding to a growing NATO threat.

 

Speaking at the defense ministry's headquarters in Moscow, Putin said Russia should be swift in "adjusting plans to neutralize potential threats to our country."

 

He said strengthening Russia's nuclear capability should be a chief objective for 2017.

 

"We need to enhance the combat capability of strategic nuclear forces, primarily by strengthening missile complexes that will be guaranteed to penetrate existing and future missile defense systems," Putin said.

 

At the same meeting, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented an annual report that lauded Russian military achievements in Syria and ongoing efforts to modernize the army.

 

Shoigu said Russia has fully covered the Russian border with early warning anti-missile systems for the first time. He complained about increased NATO surveillance flights in border areas and announced plans to send more troops to Russia's west, southwest and the Arctic.

 

"Instead of uniting efforts against the global evil, terrorism, NATO has proclaimed Russia its main threat and continues to increase its military potential around our borders," Shoigu said.

 

Analysts say Russia's military forces remain materially weaker than NATO armies but are gaining technological ground, aided by Putin's aggressive command.

 

Igor Sutyagin, a senior research fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the Russian military was not the world's strongest. But he said Russian military performance was improving in part because Putin wields more control over his military compared with NATO nations.

 

"The lack of restrictions makes them better equipped for combat," he said. "They are stronger because if Putin wants to use them, he doesn't ask advice. He doesn't come to Parliament or to Capitol Hill."

 

In its annual report on the global military balance, Britain's International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that Russia's use of new cruise missile designs in Syria and other recent military displays showed that it was catching up with the West on advanced weapons systems.

 

Putin thanked the defense ministry for its work but cautioned that "the situation might change very quickly (if) ... we let ourselves relax even for a moment."

___

Associated Press reporter Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this story.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-12-23

[TVGerry]

As Putin was strengthening Russia's military, Obama was cutting back on America's.

 

Thanks Obama!

[craigt3365]

34 minutes ago, TVGerry said:

As Putin was strengthening Russia's military, Obama was cutting back on America's.

 

Thanks Obama!

Not sure that's a bad thing.  Though the increase in Russian military expenditures is a bit unnerving.

[elliss]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

Not sure that's a bad thing.  Though the increase in Russian military expenditures is a bit unnerving.

 

        Putin is   prepared  for the  big day ,  maybe 2017 .?

[ilostmypassword]

It would be a very sad thing for Russia if what Putin said was true.

[smedly]

a mad man

[Guest]

Dear Russia,

 

The thing is that nobody wishes to invade Russia. Heck, nobody wishes to be even in close contact with what Putin's current Russia presents. 

We all would be very happy if Russia would stop trying to be the superpower it once were. You'll never get there with your attitude. Improve your own country to the level it deserves to play with other kids in the neighbourhood. Stop trying to be a schoolyard bully, what you have become in the past few years. 

 

If you don't know how to behave, please don't bother the rest of us with your childish and rude attitude. 

 

With regards, the people of the world. 

[Kiwiken]

13 hours ago, TVGerry said:

As Putin was strengthening Russia's military, Obama was cutting back on America's.

 

Thanks Obama!

USA cutting back? I am sure that would help health and education if true. Russia's budget is still much smaller than the USA

[halloween]

So not planning to invade Afghanistan again. They did so well there last time.

[boomerangutang]

15 hours ago, TVGerry said:

As Putin was strengthening Russia's military, Obama was cutting back on America's. Thanks Obama!

 

The chart above shows that's not true.  Republicans bellyache endlessly on how Obama's administration overspent.  Now they're bellyaching that Obama's people didn't spend enough.  

 

Putin is potentially dangerous.  Trump doesn't see it, because (as Trump said in his childish bully mentality):  "If Putin says good things about me, I'm going to say good things about him."

 

Putin + Trump = nuclear arms race.  Good luck world.

[craigt3365]

The US budget is much higher than Russia's, but it is being reduced.  While Russia and China's are being increased dramatically.

 

http://dailysignal.com/2016/04/11/russia-and-china-increase-defense-spending-while-us-continues-cutting/

 

[Scott]

Off-topic post and reply removed.  

[Goingmad]

21 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Not sure that's a bad thing.  Though the increase in Russian military expenditures is a bit unnerving.

Right now it is only talk. Putin is playing cards with Trump.

Obama is only dealing the cards, and surviving drinks.

All talk on both sides.

 

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

The US budget is much higher than Russia's, but it is being reduced.  While Russia and China's are being increased dramatically.

 

http://dailysignal.com/2016/04/11/russia-and-china-increase-defense-spending-while-us-continues-cutting/

 

 

Putin is wishful thinking and positioning for future negotiations.

 

The Russian military has always suffered from issues. Look how they have actually performed over the centuries. 

Against Napoleon - poor; Crimea - poor.  1905 whipped by Japan; WW1 poor prior to collapse due to revolution; WW2 poor but received massive allied help. 

They are good when opponents invade their country and are unprepared for the serious conditions of their winter. They relied on throwing waves of manpower at the opponents regardless of their own losses. 

 

Sure some good arms and equipment but not the best maintenance and logistical support. Look at the way their subs and aircraft were allowed to rot. In Afghanistan they poured in armor, assault helicopters, and their much self vaunted special forces. And got hammered by the Taliban. 

 

Putin knows he needs to spend to really improve them. He also knows the value of BS in military propaganda. 

 

The West, especially EU members were skint and saw the thawed cold war as the chance to stop spending and divert money elsewhere. The US wasn't so quick to buy it. 

 

It's grossly unfair that Europe thinks it's entitled to American tax payers money for it's defense. Trump is right that all should pay what they are contractually obligated to as NATO members. Most NATO countries have reduced their military and expenditure believing we'd not return to a situation like today - myopic. The former communist party worker Mrs. Merkel sees Russia as an ally. More wishful thinking. Turkey is in NATO and their massive ground forces would be a very useful ally, which is why Vlad is getting pally with Erdogan again.

 

Trump is right - bullies, and he should know, only ever respect more force. Appease them and live to regret it. Chamberlin and his mates proved that in the 1930's.

[craigt3365]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia-just-given-trying-launch-144945040.html?.tsrc=daily_mail

 

Quote

Russia has just given up on trying to launch strikes from its rickety aircraft carrier

 

[deathmule]

In no way Russian army is stronger/technologically more advanced than the US Army and the Chinese army.

[sean in udon]

5 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

The US budget is much higher than Russia's, but it is being reduced.  While Russia and China's are being increased dramatically.

 

http://dailysignal.com/2016/04/11/russia-and-china-increase-defense-spending-while-us-continues-cutting/

 

If the true figures reveal the truth, switch to percentages to manipulate the truth.

 

The bar chart looks very pretty and shows a MASSIVE increase in Russian defence spending, but Kiwiken kindly provided the actual dollar amount spent by Russia in 2015, 60 billion US dollars.

Compared to America's 560 billion US dollars.

 

Let's skip the manipulation and talk simple numbers. The 2015 US defence budget is 9 times the Russian defence budget.

[craigt3365]

36 minutes ago, sean in udon said:

If the true figures reveal the truth, switch to percentages to manipulate the truth.

 

The bar chart looks very pretty and shows a MASSIVE increase in Russian defence spending, but Kiwiken kindly provided the actual dollar amount spent by Russia in 2015, 60 billion US dollars.

Compared to America's 560 billion US dollars.

 

Let's skip the manipulation and talk simple numbers. The 2015 US defence budget is 9 times the Russian defence budget.

Never tried to manipulate the truth.  Never said the US didn't spend more in terms of actual dollars.  Just showed a different side to the situation.  The growth in military spending by Russia is quite dramatic.  No denying that.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_Russian_Federation

Quote

In 2014, Russia's military budget of 2.49 trillion rubles (worth approximately US$69.3 billion at 2014 exchange rates) was higher than any other European nation, and approximately 1/7th (14%) of the US military budget.

 

[JacChang]

Too many people think it's an 1 on 1 ordeal. When was a war ever a one on one ordeal? Don't take this too lightly with confidence, Russia dares to play the cards now because? China? North Korea? Now everything changes doesn't it? Not the 100% shrug off shoulder win anymore. Every country certainly has their strengths and weaknesses. How the west has handled the war on terrorism is taking forever isn't it? Same with every war they've handled. But Russia, China, North Korea, are war hungry nations, swift and full force. They just don't "take things slow" or talk.

[elgordo38]

Its a good thing that Putins one and only aircraft carrier is accompanied by a large tug boat. 

[Diena]

On 12/23/2016 at 5:15 PM, smedly said:

a mad man

Why? because he can kick US ass?

[sean in udon]

Dear Russia,
 
The thing is that nobody wishes to invade Russia. Heck, nobody wishes to be even in close contact with what Putin's current Russia presents. 

We all would be very happy if Russia would stop trying to be the superpower it once were. You'll never get there with your attitude. Improve your own country to the level it deserves to play with other kids in the neighbourhood. Stop trying to be a schoolyard bully, what you have become in the past few years. 
 
If you don't know how to behave, please don't bother the rest of us with your childish and rude attitude. 
 
With regards, the people of the world. 

A small edit of one paragraph shows this cuts both ways:


We all would be very happy if America would stop trying to be the superpower it once were. You'll never get there with your attitude. Improve your own country to the level it deserves to play with other kids in the neighbourhood. Stop trying to be a schoolyard bully, what you have become in the past few decades. 

[crankshaft]

22 hours ago, oilinki said:

Dear Russia,

 

The thing is that nobody wishes to invade Russia. Heck, nobody wishes to be even in close contact with what Putin's current Russia presents. 

We all would be very happy if Russia would stop trying to be the superpower it once were. You'll never get there with your attitude. Improve your own country to the level it deserves to play with other kids in the neighbourhood. Stop trying to be a schoolyard bully, what you have become in the past few years. 

 

If you don't know how to behave, please don't bother the rest of us with your childish and rude attitude. 

 

With regards, the people of the world. 

 

IMHO....if the majority of the Russian people had a true vote in who ran the country and were informed of what was really going on in this world....then tin pot dictator Putin would be in some gulag with the rest of the thieves who stole democracy and a decent living from the people of Russia.

[IAMHERE]

5 hours ago, sean in udon said:

If the true figures reveal the truth, switch to percentages to manipulate the truth.

 

The bar chart looks very pretty and shows a MASSIVE increase in Russian defence spending, but Kiwiken kindly provided the actual dollar amount spent by Russia in 2015, 60 billion US dollars.

Compared to America's 560 billion US dollars.

 

Let's skip the manipulation and talk simple numbers. The 2015 US defence budget is 9 times the Russian defence budget.

I am guessing America has about nine times the enemies that Russia has. The only one we can count on is the UK and they won't let Trump even visit their country.

[jerojero]

Sure!... Nuclear war.. potentially kill the entire planet 100 times over, instead of current potential of 10 times over. Idiot egotistic moron!

[craigt3365]

11 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

I am guessing America has about nine times the enemies that Russia has. The only one we can count on is the UK and they won't let Trump even visit their country.

Not any more.  The murder of the ambassador in Turkey shows this.  Russia had been brutalizing the population in Chechnya for years.  Research how many terror attacks Russia has had over the years.  Too many.

[smedly]

13 hours ago, Diena said:

a mad man

 

13 hours ago, Diena said:

Why? because he can kick US ass?

no, because he thinks it's a possibility and that is dangerous stupidity

[Mook23]

On 24-12-2016 at 5:26 AM, halloween said:

So not planning to invade Afghanistan again. They did so well there last time.

So did USA 555

[Stargeezr]

Putin  likes  to brag  since  Russia  invaded and occupies  Crimea, and is  fighting  in  Ukraine.  He  also  gets  to stroke  his  ego,  helping Assad in Syria.  Big  Hero,  Big  Dic  is more  like  it.  I wonder what  he  is  planning to do next,  go  after  another  strong country  like  Burma?

Geezer

[rabas]

2 hours ago, Mook23 said:

So did USA 555

 

Afghanistan war fun facts.

The Soviet Union was in part defeated by the new US shoulder fired Stinger missiles but also by the essentially undefeatable Afghan tribal peoples.

 

The objective of the US war was to remove the Taliban from power and al-Qaeda from the country. The US alliance invaded on 7 October 2001 and achieved its basic goals by December 2001 when the UN established the International Security Assistance Force ( IS AF).

 

Then, the US got boggeeedddd doooooooooowwwwwwwwnnn real slow like the Russians, by the same undefeatable Afghan tribal peoples.