![]() ![]() The modernised T-72B3 tanks are gradually replacing the other varieties, at a rate of 300 tanks per year. The majority of the in-service tanks are of the T-72 and T-90 variants, including 564 modernised T-72B3 tanks (according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu), and 300 T-90 tanks. ![]() About 1,000 T-80 tanks were in service in 2013, though all are to be withdrawn from service by end-2015. All T-64 tanks are in storage, although some may have been provided to separatist forces fighting in Ukraine. Of these, only about 2,400 are in service the rest are in storage. Russia has about 16,000 tanks in its inventory, including 4,000 T-64, 8,000 T-72 and T-90 variants, and more than 4,000 T-80s. The Ukraine crisis will force Russia’s defence industry to produce weaponry domestically with less reliance on foreign supplies.It will take time to bring defence and procurement spending in many NATO members up from current low levels below 2% of GDP.Defence spending has been largely protected from 10% spending cuts but budgetary pressures will remain.However, it is costly and the Defence Ministry is actively trying to force down the price. The Armata tank variant will be far superior to any tank operating in Russia’s neighbours as well as many NATO armies. The reform plan is looking to upgrade Russia’s armoured formations with a new family of vehicles collectively called Armata. ![]() SIGNIFICANCE: Russia’s military is currently undergoing a 700 billion dollar rearmament programme, with Moscow aiming to supply the military with 70% modern equipment by 2020. I’ve restored a few cuts made for space reasons. This is an Oxford Analytica brief that was originally published on April 14, 2015. ![]()
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