TOPIC SPONSOR: EUCOM - Russia Strategic Initiative
What are the domestic and export capacities of Russia's defense industry? What effects have sanctions had on it? What is the evolving role of the wartime economy on the Russian defense industry?
- Lancaster, Maj. James, "The Future of Indo-Russian Arms Transfers: Diverging Interests and a Future Model for Joint Ventures," ACSC paper (Russia Research Task Force), 2024, 23 pgs.
- Pärn, Maj. Tõnis, "The Western-Made and Fed Beast: Russian Military Industry," ACSC paper (Russia Research Task Force), 2024, 23 pgs.
- Szczepanski, Lt. Col. John, "The Russian Defense Industry: Problems and Prospects," AWC paper (Russia RTF), 2023, 4 pgs.
- Tittinger, Maj. James E., "Preparing for the Rain: Defending USAFE from Russia's Standoff Capabilities," AFGC thesis, 2025, 43 pgs.
- Tittinger notes that Western sanctions have entirely failed to halt Russian munition manufacturing, as Russia continues to source Western microelectronics through alternative channels. Transitioning quickly to a wartime economy, Russia has ramped up production to roughly 60 cruise missiles per month. Furthermore, Russia struck a $1.75 billion deal with Iran to domestically manufacture the Shahed-136 at the JSC Alabuga facility, which is on track to produce over 5,000 drones annually. He concludes that planners must accept that Russia will not "run out" of standoff munitions.