Credits: World Economic Forum (CC 2.0)

Most powerful nation of the world in post WWII time collapsed and got divided into 15 new different states. US and USSR were considered equally strong, but many experts claimed USSR was stronger as it alone used to counter all the powerful western nations (US, UK, France and other west European countries). Soviet early space success and state of the art weapon technology also gave it an upper hand.

It was life style, political and economic conditions which came on the way of this omnipotent nation. People wanted reform and wanted their life standards on par with western nations and this brought a huge change in 1991 that the greatest and most powerful union of the world failed and fell down.

Vladimir Putin, former President and present Prime Minister of Russia understands this problem and has called for an aggressive economic, as well as military advancement. In a speech in Russian Parliament, he laid out a $700-billion programme of across-the-board modernisation of Russia's war arsenals by 2020.

Russia realized that its navy, which used to be the most powerful navy in the world, is now of no match to the NATO navy. The situation has now become so bad that Russia is struggling to repair an aircraft carrier which is destined to India. During the invasion of Georgia, Russians lacked the support of assault ships that they had to finally order from France.

Vladimir Putin explained in his speech the reason of extensive re-arming, by creating a scenario of a global financial crisis as it happened in 2007-2008. He said Russia must be strong and self reliant to repel the outside pressure, if a country is weak than other countries would come to advice you what to do to gain their interests.

Citing the importance of regaining the military might, he also stressed on advancement of already stable Russian economy. Increasing standards of living and economic growth was another main point in his speech. He aims at becoming the top 5 economy in the world and making the gross Domestic Product (GDP) (per capita) reach more than $35,000, that is more than what France and Italy has now.

Vladimir Putin is the main figure behind the reconstruction of Russia. He helped Russia to regain that respect and power which it had lost after the collapse of Soviet Union. Using its oil diplomacy and other smart steps, Vladimir Putin has brought Russia back on the growing track. His words often get converted into reality and do not just remain as words.

Vladimir Radyuhin writes for THE HINDU that the production of ballistic missiles will be increased by 100% from 2013. New missiles systems will be developed and inducted in the armed forces, such as the long range RS-24 Yars and Bulova and the short range Iskander and the S-500 anti missiles, which can even knock down targets in space.

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