Is the show of force by the Russian Air force is a 1 shot wonder or are they restocked and recocked for the long haul

2015-11-17T21:52:31-05:00

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/payback-some-russias-most-lethal-weapons-war-just-struck-14371

Payback: Some of Russia's Most Lethal Weapons of War Just Struck ISIS

ISIS seems set for a very bad day. 

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 9:53 PM

2015-11-17T21:53:57-05:00

I think they have held in reserve a substantial arsenal, but I have been surprised at some of it also.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 18 at 2015 12:16 AM

2015-11-18T00:16:30-05:00

Time will tell. I have a feeling that their resources are not as deep as they would have us believe.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 18 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-11-18T10:23:32-05:00

Not sure...they may not be as deep as they are projecting, but I suspect that they have gone about quietly developing and producing more than we thought. While they may or may not be able to maintain a prolonged conflict of years, I would not be surprised if they could perform for a longer period than we originally think!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-11-18T12:46:45-05:00

I would note that the Russians have only 35 TU-160s in service, most of them in a condition that renders them barely operable. They've recently upgraded some of them - this sortie may well have involved the entire force. These are 70's vintage aircraft, loosely on par with the B-1A. The TU-22M3 is from the 60s, the Bears are even older. They can fly them. They can use them to effect. But at the end of the day, I am not impressed.
To answer the question, I think that the Russians are just about tapped out in what they can project forward. It is worthy of note that operations in Ukraine have been awfully quiet while their adventures in Syria are underway. I don't think that is coincidental.