Does Russian seapower have a future?

Abstract

In 1996, the Russian Navy commemorates the 300th anniversary of its founding by Peter the Great. As threats to first Russia, then the Soviet Union have been predominantly land‐based, for most of its history the country has been overshadowed by the army, becoming a global seapower only during the Cold War. But can global power be continued in the post‐Cold War environment, given the economic, political and infrastructural breakdowns evident in the Russian Federation? In this timely article, Commander Simon Airey examines the historical background to Russian naval power, the impact of the demise of the USSR and how restructuring, new priorities and harsh economic realities have affected the role and capabilities of the navy. He discusses the impact of the new Russian military doctrine and the influence of changed foreign policy imperatives, concluding that, despite smaller scale restructuring, global maritime power is a luxury Russia can no longer afford, at least for the time being.