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Russia has a fairly coherent and consistent strategy to use its military to achieve its security policy goals

• This strategy includes strategic deterrence, regional dominance, expeditionary operations, preparation in case of major war, and domestic stability.

Other key factors shaping Russia's ability to sustain Russian military forces have changed but show signs of remaining stable over the medium term

• The Russian economy faces protracted stagnation but is not on the brink of collapse.
• Defense spending is leveling out to around 3 percent of gross domestic product.
• Russian public attitudes show support for Russia's government, foreign policies, and the military.
• Russia's demographics are stabilizing due to higher birth rates and continued in-migration.
• Russia can sustain the current size and mixed personnel system of its military.

Russia has pursued three strategies in developing its ground capabilities

• The first strategy is to retain and adapt Soviet-era systems (as in the case of the maneuver ground forces and indirect fires).
• The second strategy is to emulate and adapt Western structures while also drawing on legacy Soviet systems (as in the case of long-range strike capabilities and C4ISR systems).
• The third strategy is to asymmetrically counter foreign threats (as in the case of electronic warfare systems).

Russia will likely adjust its prioritization of ground combat capabilities based on changes in its political and economic future; across a range of scenarios, Russia will also likely invest in capabilities associated with strategic deterrence, regional dominance, and internal security

Perhaps the most dangerous possibility is a large-scale ground war with Russia; however, it is highly unlikely that Russia is preparing to initiate such a war given its security strategy, past decisions of which capabilities to prioritize, and economic constraints

Russia and the United States have countervailing interests in multiple areas. Since 2008 Russia's military forces have improved substantially, enabling Russia to pursue its interests much more aggressively, including intervening in Crimea, eastern Ukraine, and Syria. Researchers analyze the factors that undergird Russian military power: societal, political, economic, and demographic. They then turn to specific ground combat capability areas, such as the maneuver ground forces, indirect fires, long-range strike, and C4ISR. The researchers expect relative continuity in the development of Russia's military capabilities but recognize that change is possible were energy prices to increase or decrease or Russia's relations with the West or China shift. The key challenge for the U.S. military will be to develop capabilities that can enable the United States to compete with Russia and achieve U.S. interests across different regions and intensities of conflict without provoking escalation. The report presents several recommendations to the U.S. Army, including considering how best to respond to Russia's military dominance in the near abroad and how to prepare for potential conflict with Russian forces and their proxies in the Middle East. Given Russia's security policy and economic and demographic constraints, the researchers do not foresee Russia initiating a conflict with the West. Nevertheless, the U.S. Army should prepare to counter Russian capabilities that challenge current U.S. forces, including long-range strike, C4ISR, and rapidly deployable forces.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Factors Underlying Russian Military Power

• Chapter Three

  Key Capability Areas for Ground Combat

• Chapter Four

  Future Russian Capabilities

• Chapter Five

  Policy Implications