the development of russian military policy and finland

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Characteristics of Russia’s Use of Force · 47 Recent deployments of the SS-26 Iskander missile (that comes in both nuclear and conventional formats) in the [former] Leningrad Military District where it could threaten Finland and the Baltic States suggest not just a desire to deter NATO, but also the continuing desire to intimidate Russian neighbors. Should Russia divine a threat in Europe, it reserves the right to place these missiles in Kaliningrad from where it could threaten Poland and even Germany as well. 182 The dual-capability Iskander missiles in Luga are replacing the older Tochka- U (SS-21 Scarab) tactical missiles with a range of 120 kilometres. The new Iskander-M missiles represent the precision weapons mentioned in the Russian military doctrine. Their range covers the Baltic States and a major part of the Finnish territory. A full Iskander-M brigade consists of 12 launchers, each with two missiles, and 12 missile transporters with an additional 24 missiles. In Russian defence planning, the Iskander missile systems, including the not yet operationally deployed Iskander-K cruise missile system 183 , seem to have a dual role: on the one hand nuclear deterrence and highly unlikely nuclear warfighting, and on the other an increasingly important conventional offensive role in strategic directions. Tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles supplement the ground attack capability of the frontal aviation substantially. The Russian military has great expectations with regard to this missile as a substitute for the missile capability lost after implementation of the INF treaty in the early 1990s. Military Parade, a magazine for Russia’s defence industry, wrote in the spring of 2011, that the Iskander-M missile, a weapon of choice in theatre operations, with longer range and greater accuracy, was a part of the modernization program of the ground forces. The advanced accurate homing system of this missile (Udarnik) will be completed in 2016. 184 182 Blank, 2011, p. 331. On 23 November 2011 President Medvedev made a statement regarding the European missile defence issue which included the threat that “Russia will deploy cutting–edge ballistic missile systems capable of the total destruction of US ABMs in Europe. One of the measures will be deploying is the 9K720 Iskander Mobile Theatre Ballistic Missile System in a special area in Kaliningrad.”; The Voice of Russia, 23 November 2011, “Medvedev’s Special Statement on Missile Defence” [http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/23/60905583.html]. See also, Golubkova, 2011. 183 If the Iskander-K TEL is equipped with a six-tube launcher, a full brigade would theoretically carry 144 Iskander-K cruise missiles. 184 Gulyaev, 2011, pp. 10–13.
48 · The Development of Russian Military Policy and Finland Figure 7. Iskander-M missile range from the 26 th Missile Brigade based in Luga. At present there are no Iskander missiles at Alakurtti, but the mobile missile system could be quickly redeployed, if necessary. In building a capability for strategic assault operations, the Iskander missile brigade in Luga is of fundamental importance. By taking advantage of the opponent’s low readiness, precision strikes by this brigade could be used together with air strikes to paralyze his defence. It is interesting to note that units from the 98 th Guards Airborne Division in Ivanovo, 400 kilometres north-east of Moscow, exercised in Luga in February 2012. 185 An air assault division is active in the Pskov area, along with a 'Special Designation' (Spetsnaz) commando brigade. In Pechenga there is a motorized infantry brigade and a naval infantry brigade. These brigades are in full readiness (in hours). According to Colonel General Postnikov, then commander of the Russian Ground Forces, an arctic brigade composed of Spetsnaz troops, familiar with arctic conditions, would also be established in Pechenga. In February 2012 it became evident that the plans were postponed to 2015. 186 Chief of General Staff, Army General Makarov assured in Helsinki on 5 June 2012 that Russia ”has no intention of establishing any arctic brigades”. 187 Russia’s statements are contradictory. The real outcome remains to be seen. 185 Yläjoki, 2012. 186 Myasnikov, 2011. See also Pettersen, Trude, 2011. For an update see RIA Novosti, 21 February 2012, “Russia to Field First Arctic Brigade in 2015” [http://en.rian.ru /mlitary_news/20120221/171440711.html]; Pettersen, 2012a. 187 YLE News, 7 June 2012, ”Kenraali Makarovin puhe kokonaisuudessaan” (General Makarov’s Full Speech) [http://yle.fi/uutiset/kenraali_makarovin_puhe_kokonaisuudessaan /6169951].
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY
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Stefan Forss, Lauri Kiianlinna, Per
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CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i 1 INTR
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The powerful revi
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Previously published in this series
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No 25, 2004 Joonas Sipilä, Erko Mi
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Strategian laitos Maanpuolustuskork
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