Russia currently holds the advantage in weapons production compared to the West and aims to sustain a high growth rate, according to a top Russian minister. This statement comes in the aftermath of increased arms production by both the West and Russia in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
The conflict, initiated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in the most significant European conflict since World War II and has intensified tensions between Russia and the West to levels reminiscent of the Cold War.
While Ukraine and its Western allies heightened arms production to confront Russian forces in the Ukrainian conflict, Russia also increased its production. The Russian perspective attributes the responsibility for the war to the West, dating back to 2014.
Denis Manturov, the deputy prime minister overseeing arms production, remarked, "I don't want to boast, but I can say that we began to gain and picked up the pace of production earlier than Western countries." He acknowledged the uncertainty of how long this competitive dynamic would persist, mentioning the forthcoming approval of a 2025-2034 armament plan.
President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu have emphasized the surge in the production of artillery, drones, tanks, and armored vehicles. Some Western leaders have characterized the situation as a new Cold War, with Russia and China aligned against the United States and its allies. However, Russia's $2 trillion economy may face challenges countering the entire strength of the West for an extended period.
Manturov, referring to the economic power of Western countries, emphasized the need to replenish reserves and maintain the current production rate. He noted a doubling of the volume of state defense orders in 2023 compared to the previous year, with the production of certain weapons increasing tenfold.
