The modernisation of the Russian military

As one of the institutions of the Russian state that is the most resistant to change, the army continues to hinder any attempt to make substantial alterations to its operational and organizational system, and seems impervious to the changes that have taken place in the political and economic life of the country as well as in its international environment. It still benefits from wide administrative and operational autonomy, especially in the matter of choices that concern it directly - structure of forces, allocation of budget resources, education of command personnel, content of training programmes, etc. Sticking firmly to the structures and strategic plans established during the Cold War, Russian generals have shown little desire to implement reforms that either are not in keeping with their deepest convictions with regard to national security, or, more prosaically, are potentially detrimental to their corporate or personal positions. President Putin has displayed determination to overcome the structural obstacles that his predecessor preferred to skirt round. He has worked to open up the military to outside influences and experience and in parallel to strengthen the control of th