Arms production in Russia: Defense Intelligence reveals details
Vadym Skibitskyi, representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Russian government is attempting to ramp up and increase the production of weapons and ammunition but is facing a series of challenges. Everything produced by Russia is immediately sent to the front, according to Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"When it comes to the so-called Russian 'defense,' Moscow adopted a series of laws and government resolutions in the summer of 2022, effectively transitioning defense industry enterprises to a wartime footing. The number of working days per week has increased, with some enterprises even operating in three shifts. However, this does not mean that everything is going well in their defense industry," he said.
According to Skibitskyi, the main efforts are currently focused on repairing equipment damaged or affected on the battlefield. Another issue is the restoration and preparation for combat use of weapons and military equipment taken from arsenals and long-term storage facilities to bring them to a normal state and send them for combat operations in Ukraine. The third task is the production of new weapons, primarily artillery systems, armored weaponry, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles. The fourth task is the production of ammunition and missiles.
"According to our intelligence information, everything produced by Russia is immediately sent to the front and used against Ukraine. Therefore, we do not see Moscow significantly increasing the quantity of weapons and the volumes of weapon production," Skibitskyi reported.
As the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate said, confirmation of the fact that they lack their ammunition is their purchase of ammunition from Iran, and North Korea, and the export of almost all ammunition from Belarusian depots. For example, regarding artillery ammunition of 122 and 152 calibers, Russian enterprises produced about 2 million such munitions in 2023. However, this does not cover all the needs of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
"The enemy is trying to organize and increase the production of weapons and ammunition but faces a series of problems. This includes outdated equipment, a shortage of trained workers capable of performing such high-tech work, and a shortage of components. However, the fact that Russia can produce military weapons and equipment remains a threat to us," he added.
Russia's military budget
In 2024, for the first time since Soviet times, the Russian government intends to allocate almost a third of all expenses for the maintenance of the army and the defense-industrial complex.
Under the "national defense" article, 10.775 trillion rubles (121 billion dollars at the current exchange rate of the Central Bank of Russia) will be spent in the year, which is 70% more than in 2023. Another 3.338 trillion rubles, according to the budget law, the government will spend under the "national security" article, which includes the budgets of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, Special Services, and the Federal Security System. Thus, almost 40% of the budget will be spent on security structures.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov previously said that the budget has enough funds to meet all the needs of the Russian armed forces in the war.
