In a move reminiscent of the Cold War, the Russian government announced the resumption of regular long-range strategic bomber flights. These types of flights have been suspended for almost fifteen years due to both an easing of Cold War tensions and a lack of funding to sustain their level of activity. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however announced the resumption of these flights at a rather auspicious occasion during a joint military exercise with China and four Central Asian States.
President Putin clearly stated that Russia’ s policy change is a direct result of security threats from other states (the United States is implied here), forcing Russia to resume these flights for defensive reasons. The Russian government has repeatedly used these types of tactics portraying the actions of other states as anti-Russian to justify more aggressive actions as a defensive posture.
As such, the proposed US missile interceptor site in Europe has evoked much criticism in Russia and may unravel arms control treaties and instigate new military races in the region.
Establishing Presence
However, Russia is mostly resuming these types of flights simply because it can. The oil wealth Russia has accumulated in recent years now means they can now pay for these types of military activities. In addition, this change of policy is another sign that Russia is trying to re-assert itself as a superpower on the world stage. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the new Russia that emerged lacked the superpower status and gravitas of its predecessor state, the Soviet Union. Many would also argue that the former Soviet Union itself was in a state of disrepair and decline for some time, militarily, economically and politically.
However, Russia has recently been dusting off its old fleet for service and has made a series of very public and provocative flights in preparation for this policy shift. One week ago, Russian bombers flew within 100 miles of Guam, resulting in the scrambling of US military aircraft. Russian authorities reported that their pilots exchanged smiles with the US crew. Russian aircraft have also conducted exercises over the North Pole and also flew close to US airspace near Alaska. In addition, Russian aircraft diverged from a flight path near Norway towards Scotland but later broke off. Russian authorities claimed that NATO aircraft have shadowed them on some flights.
Re-Emergence on the World Stage
These types of flights are meant to demonstrate Russia’s military might despite the fact these planes are decades old and the Russian Armed Forces are still distant from their prestige during the height of the Cold War. While some of these planes have new avionics and weaponry, generally speaking, the Russian military is badly in need of modernization.
Russia has also hinted at re-establishing a permanent presence of its naval assets in the Mediterranean. Russian naval assets have also suffered decline in past years.
The Russian government has been stridently rebuilding its foreign policy, political system and economy. The recent expedition to the Arctic and planting of the Russian flag is a declaration of Russian presence in addition to being a possible land-grab (Previous Report). Modernizing its strategic forces and its strategic reach is just another complementary aspect of the resurgence of a superpower.
Future Outlook
It is likely that Russia will continue to use its newfound oil wealth as a resource to modernize its military assets and project strategic presence to remind the world that it still has what it takes to be a superpower.
Interestingly enough Russia has been using “softer” forms of power such as energy diplomacy to both influence and intimidate other states. However, military power is still a powerful tool. Choosing not to wield it may be one thing, demonstrating that the country has worldwide military reach is sure to make other states take notice.
