Organizational change in the Russian airborne forces
Subtitle: the lessons of the Georgian conflict
By: Rod Thornton
Contributors: Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Carlisle, PA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 73
ISBN-13: 9781584875192
Subjects: Russia (Federation). Vozdushno-desantnye voĭska; Reorganization; Airborne troops; Organizational change; Russia (Federation); Armed Forces
Description: "This monograph considers the recent history of organizational change in the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV). In particular, it looks at how the VDV has changed since the end of Russia's conflict with Georgia in 2008. The VDV, a force much admired in Russian media and society has, in fact, escaped fairly lightly during the comprehensive reform of the Russian Army more generally over the last few years. In large part this has been down to the personality of the current head of the VDV, Lieutenant-General Vladimir Shamanov. Close to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Shamanov -- a "maverick" -- has used his political connections to help ward off many of the cuts and reforms that have impacted the rest of the Army. He has managed to keep the basic structure of the VDV intact, while also dealing with a number of problematic issues related to manning, equipment, and training regimes within his organization. This monograph goes on to point out the level of professionalism in the VDV that was demonstrated during the Georgian war. It also though, highlights the fact that, while some battalions within the VDV will be very effective and well trained, other battalions will not. Thus it is difficult to judge precisely how battle-ready the VDV's divisions now are. Ultimately, this monograph seeks to establish just what sort of Russian airborne forces U.S. or NATO troops may one day have to either work alongside or, indeed, face in some sort of confrontation."-- P. vii.
Notes: "December 2011."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-70).

Also available online in PDF format from Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) web site. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: The esteemed VDV; title: The vulnerability to change of the post-Cold War airborne forces; title: Changes in the VDV prior to the war with Georgia; title: Change : the role of the VDV commander; title: Change and the war with Georgia; title: Proposed structural changes in the VDV; title: Post-Georgia changes in the VDV; title: Manning in the VDV; title: Readiness of the VDV; title: Aircraft for the VDV; title: Conclusion and policy implications.