AN / APG-77 vs N036 Byelka

[skyward]

If you step back and look at the raw numbers Russia does really well defense-wise considering it has the GDP of Italy. Massive army, big air force and decent navy as well as very modern nuclear weapons. I think this is partly due to the fact that their defense industry is still government socialist based and therefore relatively cheap, no big executive bonuses or company dividends to pay. The West usually has the best latest equipment but how expensive is it normally compared to equivalent Russian gear ?

They just spend more on Defense as a percent of GDP.

[icemaverick]

If you step back and look at the raw numbers Russia does really well defense-wise considering it has the GDP of Italy. Massive army, big air force and decent navy as well as very modern nuclear weapons. I think this is partly due to the fact that their defense industry is still government socialist based and therefore relatively cheap, no big executive bonuses or company dividends to pay. The West usually has the best latest equipment but how expensive is it normally compared to equivalent Russian gear ?

They just spend more on Defense as a percent of GDP.

Exactly. Russia spends much more on defense relative to its GDP compared to Italy. As for the expense of Western gear, you get what you pay for. High tech military equipment requires a tremendous amount of resources to develop, manufacture and operate. The Russians’ stuff is cheaper because it has to be; they simply have fewer resources at their disposal.

If you want the best talent you have to pay up. The CEOs and executives of defense firms get paid bonuses for their performance. If you want to see the results of socialist based industry take a look at Soviet cars compared to “equivalent” American, European and Japanese cars.

[zero-one]

In regards to a lot of military tech, I’d say France, UK, Germany and Israel have matched or surpassed Russia thanks to the better state of their high tech industries.

When it comes to high end equipment, I think Russia still has a bit of an edge simply because the experience and R&D of the USSR was passed down to them. Much easier for them to build off that than a lot of other countries.

But I do agree with you, France definitely makes better Aircraft Carriers, Germany has the best bang for the buck when it comes to Tanks arguably, Israel's missile defense shields are pretty impressive and may be the best in the world,

But the Ruskies still hold a commanding lead over these guys in their space program, I'd say they still have the edge in fighter technology, ballistic missiles, double digit SAMs are still pretty impressive, some would say better than what even the US has.

[Corsair1963]

In regards to a lot of military tech, I’d say France, UK, Germany and Israel have matched or surpassed Russia thanks to the better state of their high tech industries.

When it comes to high end equipment, I think Russia still has a bit of an edge simply because the experience and R&D of the USSR was passed down to them. Much easier for them to build off that than a lot of other countries.

But I do agree with you, France definitely makes better Aircraft Carriers, Germany has the best bang for the buck when it comes to Tanks arguably, Israel's missile defense shields are pretty impressive and may be the best in the world,

But the Ruskies still hold a commanding lead over these guys in their space program, I'd say they still have the edge in fighter technology, ballistic missiles, double digit SAMs are still pretty impressive, some would say better than what even the US has.

Russia is still doing fairly well in Missile Technology and Space. Yet, they're quickly sliding down hill in Avionics/Electronics, Fighters, and Warships. As a matter of fact many smaller nations are on the verge of giving Russia a real run for her money....

[nutshell]

Military tech and Germany in the same sentence?