Russia Jumps In

Russia plans to spend $723B on 1600 aircraft, including 600 airplanes and 1000 helicopters by 2020.

"The renovation will primarily cover the long-range strategic aviation, tactical aviation, army air force, combined with the introduction of high-precision armament, electronic warfare defense systems, and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems."

Russia, like China, is interested in re-establishing itself as a dominant global superpower. This is occurring as the the US reduces defense spending to pre-911 levels and draws down forces significantly. And NATO becomes irrelevant.

So the world becomes more interesting as more powerful threats emerge from the shadows.