Chapter Five: Russia and Eurasia

Improving air-ground cooperation is a focus for the armed forces, exemplified by the appointment of a career ground-forces officer as C-in-C of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Russia is also working to refine its reconnaissance-strike complex. This is another lesson from Russia’s operation in Syria, which remains a springboard for senior commanders; deployment there is important for promotion. Russia’s Su-57 development is progressing at a modest pace. Meanwhile, improved versions of a previous generation, including the Su-35, are improving air force capabilities. Russia’s Navy commissioned its first new truly bluewater principal surface combatant in some two decades, including with a new, potentially more capable air-defence system. The creation of information troops and reinstatement of the Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs showed that Russia’s command has sharpened its attention on confrontation in the information domain. Russia’s surge of naval capabilities into the Eastern Mediterranean in late 2018 demonstrated its ability to potentially pose challenges to NATO and other navies in the region.