Russia announces its military expansion plan | Group Army | Russia
According to Russian media reports, General Yevgeny Brkinsky, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, recently published an article stating that the Russian military will form one composite army of various branches, one air force and air defense group army, one field army, the Azov Navy Military Region, five divisions, 26 brigades, the Moscow Military Region, and the Leningrad Military Region this year.
Analysis suggests that the Russian military's move is a preparation for long-term response to NATO's military threats.
Responding to NATO and emphasizing Western defense capabilities
Regarding Russia's military expansion plan, military observer Teng Jianqun believes that in the context of NATO's eastward expansion, Russia's move aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of Moscow and the western border, and create a defense system that combines ground and air.
Teng Jianqun:
After Finland joined NATO, the defense situation in the Moscow and St. Petersburg regions of Russia deteriorated extremely.
The restoration of the Moscow and Leningrad military regions by Russia requires the integration of relevant troops, weapons and equipment, in order to form effective command and control, and to form a targeted defense posture in key areas, especially the capital region; Build a reorganized air force and air defense group army, mainly to strengthen the air defense operations and anti missile capabilities in key western regions.
Contrary to the norm, expanding the size of military personnel
In addition, the Russian military will also expand and increase military personnel, with plans to increase the total military strength from about 1 million to 1.5 million. In Russia's previous military reforms, the focus was often on reducing the size of military personnel.
In this regard, Teng Jianqun believes that this is a reform carried out by Russia after fully absorbing the lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Teng Jianqun:
After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia carried out at least two rounds of war readiness mobilization.
For a country like Russia with a vast territory, its current ground force size is clearly insufficient. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Russian army faced a major challenge of insufficient troops, and even used mercenary groups as a supplement.
This also shows Russia that blindly emphasizing high-tech troops cannot meet Russia's defense needs. So the increase in Russian troops this time is mainly a supplement to ground combat forces.
looking to the future,
What are the development priorities of Russia's military reform?
Data image: Russian Air Force's "Dagger" hypersonic missile
Teng Jianqun further pointed out that in terms of the current security pressure faced by Russia, the construction of conventional military forces will be a key development direction for Russia's future military reform.
Teng Jianqun:
After Putin came to power, Russia focused on developing strategic nuclear forces in its military development. At present, Russia's land-based, sea-based, and air-based nuclear forces, including hypersonic weapons, nuclear torpedoes, and other major weapons, have made significant progress.
Next, Russia's military reform will emphasize the development of conventional forces and will be continuously adjusted according to the needs of the mission.
How likely is NATO's direct entry?
Data chart: NATO military exercises
While Russia is carrying out military reform and preparing for a long-term military confrontation with NATO, NATO is still using the Russia-Ukraine conflict to contain Russia by any means.
The former Secretary General of NATO recently claimed that if NATO member countries cannot provide practical and effective security measures to Kiev at the upcoming NATO summit, some NATO countries may send ground troops to Ukraine.
Regarding the possibility of this plan being implemented, military observer Teng Jianqun holds a negative attitude.
Teng Jianqun:
NATO is now adopting a "sausage cutting" approach, step by step squeezing, and striving to break up Russia as much as possible, so as to make NATO stand tall in Europe.
Some countries are eager to send ground troops directly to participate in the war, but engaging in direct combat with Russia is not the current preferred choice for the United States and NATO.
