In the last decade, Russia has increasingly sought to show off its muscles to the rest of the world. Extensive Russian propaganda has focused on purported successes in the country’s rearmament and military modernization programs, going some way toward convincing the West of the worsening threat posed by Russia’s Armed Forces. However, the actual situation arguably diverges from the rosy narrative disseminated by Kremlin-backed media; in fact, the West may still control some of the critical needs of Russia’s defense-industrial sector and could continue to limit those technologies and inputs for the foreseeable future. This situation is particularly evident in the naval sphere. With 38,000 kilometers of coast line (the third longest in the world) and huge maritime ambitions, Russia needs to control extensive sea areas and project power there. But the capacities and capabilities of the Russian shipbuilding industry fall far short of national political ambitions and military maritime requirements.
The Realities of Russian Military Shipbuilding (Part One) – Jamestown
