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MilitaryRussia assumed control of Soviet assets abroad and most of the Soviet Union's production facilities and defense industries are located in the country.[108] The Russian military is divided into the Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force.

There are also three independent arms of service: Strategic Rocket Forces, Military Space Forces, and the Airborne Troops. In 2006, the military had 1.037 million personnel on active duty.[109]

Russia has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world. It has the second largest fleet of ballistic missile submarines and is the only country apart from the U.S. with a modern strategic bomber force.[16]

The country has a large and fully indigenous arms industry, producing all of its own military equipment. Russia is the world's top supplier of weapons, a spot it has held since 2001, accounting for around 30% of worldwide weapons sales[110] and exporting weapons to about 80 countries.[111] Following the Soviet practice, it was mandatory before 2007 for all male citizens aged 18–27 to be drafted for two years' Armed Forces service. Various problems associated with this, such as dedovschina (institutionalised physical and psychological abuse), explain why the armed forces have reduced the conscription term first to 18 months in 2007 and then to 12 since 2008,

and are planning to increase the proportion of contract servicemen to 70% of the armed forces by 2010.[

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