*THIS POST IS FOR NERDS*
To me, the most telling rebuke of communism exists in the behavior of nations that were formerly communist nations and their reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
When Russia launched their territorial conquest of Ukraine in February of 2022, a lightning rod of fear shot through the backbones of these nations. With memories of Soviet authoritarianism still in the minds of the leaders of these nations, you saw vast military procurement projects reemerge from these nations.
Let's walk through some of the former Soviet bloc countries and their response to Russian territorial aggression.
To me, the most telling rebuke of communism exists in the behavior of nations that were formerly communist nations and their reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
When Russia launched their territorial conquest of Ukraine in February of 2022, a lightning rod of fear shot through the backbones of these nations. With memories of Soviet authoritarianism still in the minds of the leaders of these nations, you saw vast military procurement projects reemerge from these nations.
Let's walk through some of the former Soviet bloc countries and their response to Russian territorial aggression.
Albania
- Procurement of Bayraktar TB2 drones and Javelin anti-tank missiles (announced 2022; part of broader modernization to replace Soviet-era equipment).
- €13 million EU support under the European Peace Facility for Albanian Armed Forces capabilities (approved July 2024; includes equipment and training enhancements).
- Multi-year investment program (2022–2028) totaling nearly €800 million for defense infrastructure, including NATO base construction in Kuçova and civil protection upgrades.
Bulgaria
- Modernization of armed forces with a focus on replacing Soviet-era weapons, including ongoing negotiations for air defense refurbishments (shifted from Russian suppliers post-2022; part of a $10.9 billion defense spending increase through 2028).
- Acquisition of F-16 Block 70 fighters (contract advanced post-invasion; deliveries expected from 2025 onward as part of NATO alignment).
- Indirect support via multinational units and Black Sea security enhancements (e.g., joint NATO battlegroup setup in 2022–2023).
- Procurement of Bayraktar TB2 drones and Javelin anti-tank missiles (announced 2022; part of broader modernization to replace Soviet-era equipment).
- €13 million EU support under the European Peace Facility for Albanian Armed Forces capabilities (approved July 2024; includes equipment and training enhancements).
- Multi-year investment program (2022–2028) totaling nearly €800 million for defense infrastructure, including NATO base construction in Kuçova and civil protection upgrades.
Bulgaria
- Modernization of armed forces with a focus on replacing Soviet-era weapons, including ongoing negotiations for air defense refurbishments (shifted from Russian suppliers post-2022; part of a $10.9 billion defense spending increase through 2028).
- Acquisition of F-16 Block 70 fighters (contract advanced post-invasion; deliveries expected from 2025 onward as part of NATO alignment).
- Indirect support via multinational units and Black Sea security enhancements (e.g., joint NATO battlegroup setup in 2022–2023).
Czech Republic
- Purchase of 76 Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicles in three variants (ordered August 2022; for mechanized brigades, valued at part of multi-billion modernization push).
- Negotiations for 210 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (ongoing since 2023; contract targeted for 2023 but extended, aligning with army requirements).
- Planned acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks (potentially postponed in 2025 due to competing projects; part of tank fleet upgrades).
- Joint ammunition procurement under European Defence Agency arrangements (2023–2024; focused on restocking after Ukraine aid).
Estonia
- Acquisition of six HIMARS rocket systems with munitions (contract December 2022; Estonia's largest procurement to date, valued at ~$200 million).
- Ammunition stockpiling initiative (amended 2023; aims for €3 billion in ammo by 2029 across military branches).
- Defense investments plan (2025–2029) including procurements open to Estonian industry, such as support for Moldova's capabilities (total ~€1.5 billion annually).
- Purchase of 76 Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicles in three variants (ordered August 2022; for mechanized brigades, valued at part of multi-billion modernization push).
- Negotiations for 210 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (ongoing since 2023; contract targeted for 2023 but extended, aligning with army requirements).
- Planned acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks (potentially postponed in 2025 due to competing projects; part of tank fleet upgrades).
- Joint ammunition procurement under European Defence Agency arrangements (2023–2024; focused on restocking after Ukraine aid).
Estonia
- Acquisition of six HIMARS rocket systems with munitions (contract December 2022; Estonia's largest procurement to date, valued at ~$200 million).
- Ammunition stockpiling initiative (amended 2023; aims for €3 billion in ammo by 2029 across military branches).
- Defense investments plan (2025–2029) including procurements open to Estonian industry, such as support for Moldova's capabilities (total ~€1.5 billion annually).
Hungary
- Procurement of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles from Rheinmetall (ongoing since 2020 but expanded post-2022; includes local production facility construction for ~€2 billion deal).
- Acquisition of helicopters, tanks, artillery, and air defense systems (major contracts 2022–2025; e.g., Airbus helicopters and NASAMS air defense, part of €10+ billion modernization).
- Digitalization and innovation in defense procurement (2023 onward; focuses on European suppliers and indigenous manufacturing).
Latvia
- Extra €200 million for air defense systems (approved January 2025; amid Russian threat concerns, building on prior procurements).
- Drone capabilities expansion, including thousands sent to Ukraine (2025; part of "drone superpower" initiative with local industry involvement).
- Armored vehicles and conventional capabilities boost (post-2022; e.g., new armored personnel carriers and hybrid warfare defenses).
- Procurement of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles from Rheinmetall (ongoing since 2020 but expanded post-2022; includes local production facility construction for ~€2 billion deal).
- Acquisition of helicopters, tanks, artillery, and air defense systems (major contracts 2022–2025; e.g., Airbus helicopters and NASAMS air defense, part of €10+ billion modernization).
- Digitalization and innovation in defense procurement (2023 onward; focuses on European suppliers and indigenous manufacturing).
Latvia
- Extra €200 million for air defense systems (approved January 2025; amid Russian threat concerns, building on prior procurements).
- Drone capabilities expansion, including thousands sent to Ukraine (2025; part of "drone superpower" initiative with local industry involvement).
- Armored vehicles and conventional capabilities boost (post-2022; e.g., new armored personnel carriers and hybrid warfare defenses).
Romania
- Joint drone production with Ukraine (planned for 2026; focuses on UAV manufacturing for domestic use and export).
- Black Sea security enhancements and air defenses (post-2022; part of 2.5% GDP spending increase, including Patriot systems upgrades).
- Military contracts for local units (2022–2025; e.g., equipment procurements amid transparency concerns, totaling billions in surge demand).
Slovakia
- Modernization of land forces with new weapon systems (ongoing post-2022; includes armored vehicles and artillery to replace donated Soviet-era gear).
- Arms export enablement for Ukraine (amendment January 2024; empowers defense ministry approvals, leading to €1.15 billion in exports by 2023).
- Heavy forces development, including potential K2 tank collaborations (2025; joint exercises and procurement paths).
- Joint drone production with Ukraine (planned for 2026; focuses on UAV manufacturing for domestic use and export).
- Black Sea security enhancements and air defenses (post-2022; part of 2.5% GDP spending increase, including Patriot systems upgrades).
- Military contracts for local units (2022–2025; e.g., equipment procurements amid transparency concerns, totaling billions in surge demand).
Slovakia
- Modernization of land forces with new weapon systems (ongoing post-2022; includes armored vehicles and artillery to replace donated Soviet-era gear).
- Arms export enablement for Ukraine (amendment January 2024; empowers defense ministry approvals, leading to €1.15 billion in exports by 2023).
- Heavy forces development, including potential K2 tank collaborations (2025; joint exercises and procurement paths).
Last but certainly not the least
Poland
- Over $22 billion in military aircraft and weapons deals (2024 alone; including airpower modernization)- Massive procurement of AH-64E Apache helicopters (requested September 2022; 96 units valued at $7+ billion).
- K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea (180 units contracted 2022; deliveries 2022–2025, part of land forces expansion).
- F-35A fighters (32 units; contract advanced post-2022, deliveries from 2024).
Poland
- Over $22 billion in military aircraft and weapons deals (2024 alone; including airpower modernization)- Massive procurement of AH-64E Apache helicopters (requested September 2022; 96 units valued at $7+ billion).
- K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea (180 units contracted 2022; deliveries 2022–2025, part of land forces expansion).
- F-35A fighters (32 units; contract advanced post-2022, deliveries from 2024).
$151.5 billion is the grand sum that all of these former Soviet bloc nations have spent to forcefully resist the nation that previously enslaved them.
While Russia may not be communist any longer, the echoes and reach of the communist system still loom large over the heads of the children and grandchildren who suffered under this oppressive ideology.
While Russia may not be communist any longer, the echoes and reach of the communist system still loom large over the heads of the children and grandchildren who suffered under this oppressive ideology.
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