Comparing Russian Military to the U.S. and Others

[TerryMiller]

It is a 20 minute video, but it also does a good job of showing the differences with respect to the individual soldiers and their training. For example, Russia's conscripts are only required to serve 1 year, while their "contractual" soldiers are required to serve more like 3 years. The narrator also compares equipment differences and even platoon sized armored personnel carriers with the Russian BMP platoon only have 3 vehicles compared to the U.S.'s 4 per platoon.

 

[Btown]

Interesting video. My last interaction with the Russian military was about 18 years ago. Not combat related, I was in Russia as a missile inspector. A few things that really stood out was the military vehicle that escorted us drained the water out of the radiator of their "jeep" every night as in water not antifreeze. The condition of a train we inspected was terrible. If a US train or any vehicle for that matter was that filthy everyone from the lowest private to the officer in charge would have their butts handed to them. Wasn't to thrilled with a different group of soldiers that came in to watch us inspect the train. They didn't look to stable and the barrels of the AK74s pointed at us wasn't to comforting.

Took a several plane rides and a few on military aircraft. On one trip the entire crew including guards, escorts and pilots brought armfuls of vodka on board. Got to say the landing was the smoothest I've experienced. Didn't even feel touchdown just the door opening or wouldn't even know we touched down as it was snowing and zero visibility. The Aeroflot planes were in poor condition also. Seat belts not working, seats broken, original light green paint peeling off in the passenger compartment.

Interesting flight meal however. I really enjoyed it but several of my co-travelers did not. It was a white cardboard box filled with a piece of unwrapped smoked salmon, olives of a type I never seen before, an apple seems like a cookie or biscuit and a bottle of water. I thought it was very good. Just couldn't think much about cleanliness.

Lots of interesting stuff on those trips. Way to much to post but maybe no one interested anyway.

 

[RickN]

I read a lot about their military and most of it is not complementary, but every piece of Russian equipment I have ever handled has been tough and very serviceable. I have even been in some of their combat aircraft (not pilot) and it has been robust to say the least. I think if war between us ever does happen, it will come down to leadership and the individual solider. Current military leadership makes me worry.

 

[Gideon]

I think the saying, "if you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough" applies to Russians and their history.

 

[filbert]

I think the saying, "if you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough" applies to Russians and their history.

Maybe you should think about the Turks, British, French, and the Germans. They all lost to Russia, that's stupid.