On 23–26 November 2005 the International Institute for Strategic Studies’s Russia and Eurasia Programme, together with the Harvard University programme for Senior Russian Military Officers, hosted a visit by a group of senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Defence. The group, which was led by Colonel-General Yuri Kirillov ,Head of Military Academy of Strategic Missile Forces, included representatives of military academies and institutes, Space Forces, General Staff, the Department for Military Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defence, senior officers from military district headquarters and the Security Committee of the Russian State Duma.
This is the fourth year that the Russia and Eurasia Programme at IISS has hosted a visit of senior Russian military officers in collaboration with Harvard University . The aim of these visits is to discuss various aspects of defence reform, civil–military relations and prospects for international military co-operation. These visits are very productive in encouraging an exchange of opinions and establishing contacts between the Russian and British ministries of defence as well as IISS and the UK-based expert community.
The aim of this year’s visit was to present views on defence doctrine, peace support operations, counter-terrorism and internal security policy. Special attention was given to military training and education which is increasingly important in light of the reform of military education currently underway in Russia.
During their stay in the UK the delegation visited the British Operational Training Advisory Group at Lydd Ranges, where they were briefed on the core principles of British military training, for counter-terrorism operations in particular. Later on in the visit the delegation visited the UK’s Ministry of Defence in London and was greeted by the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West. In the MOD they were briefed on current UK defence policy trends, with an emphasis on training and education. Following the visit to the MOD, the delegation visited the Honourable Artillery Company at Finsbury Barracks to learn about the Territorial Army and reserves.
The IISS’s Russia and Eurasia Programme greatly values its co-operation with the Harvard University programme, led by Sergei Konoplyov, which facilitates the advancement of discussions and co-operation on defence reform issues between UK-based analysts and their senior Russian counterparts. The programme is grateful to the UK Ministry of Defence and in particular Major Gareth Baker, Desk Officer for Russia, for their support in the organisation of this visit. The visit was funded by the UK Global Conflict Prevention Pool.
