To challenge Russia’s military-industrial complex, Western nations must rethink their approach to engagement and strategy. This assessment comes from a report by the British think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
Analysts Jack Watling and Gary Somerville argue that the West should enhance information sharing with Ukraine about Russia’s defense-industrial system and focus efforts on disrupting the supply chains that feed it. They contend that the most vulnerable part of the entire structure lies in these logistical and production networks, where a well-timed push could yield meaningful pressure.
To operationalize this strategy, it is proposed to establish a centralized hub that can request and coordinate information from intelligence services, customs authorities, law enforcement, sanctions bodies, financial institutions, industry, and the military. Such a center would aim to streamline access to data, accelerate decision-making, and ensure a coherent, united response across allied countries.
Analysts also suggest that a key reason for the West’s limited success in constraining the expansion of Russia’s military-industrial complex is a degree of passivity in overall policy actions. A more assertive posture—grounded in timely data and decisive, coordinated measures—could help reverse this trend and increase strategic pressure on Moscow’s defense capabilities.
Former U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, stated that Russia’s defense-industrial base has strengthened since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. This assessment underscores the need for vigilant, ongoing efforts to monitor and counterbalance Russia’s defense production and procurement activities. Acknowledging the resilience of the system, observers emphasize the importance of sustained collaboration among Western partners to stay ahead of developments.
There was earlier reporting from Switzerland indicating that elements of Russia’s military-industrial complex have continued to adhere to Western sanctions. This observation highlights the delicate, ongoing challenge of enforcing sanctions without creating unacceptable leakage or gaps in enforcement, while also illustrating the global nature of the sanctions regime and the need for cross-border cooperation.
Overall, the conversation around countering Russia’s defense infrastructure centers on intelligence-sharing, supply-chain interdiction, and the creation of a unified governance mechanism that can harness data from multiple sectors. By elevating information flow and aligning strategic actions, Western nations seek to curtail access to the materials, technologies, and capabilities that feed Moscow’s military ambitions. The emphasis remains on evidence-based, coordinated policy that can adapt to evolving threats and maintain unity across allied governments, agencies, and partners engaged in this ongoing effort.