Putin Proposes Providing Modern Russian-Made Weapons to CSTO Allies

On November 27, 2025, at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a comprehensive plan aimed at significantly enhancing the organization's military potential. At the heart of this plan is the large-scale provision of combat-proven modern Russian-made weapons to allies and the deepening of cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and information security. This proposal is not an isolated event, but rather situated within a broader context of geopolitical developments, military-technological evolution, and Russia's strategic aspirations; its potential impact will radiate across Eurasia and the wider international security landscape.

I. Core Contents of the Plan: Weapon Sharing, Capacity Building, and Strategic Continuity

Putin's speech detailed the blueprint for cooperation within the CSTO under Russian leadership over the coming years. Its content is specific and coherent.

First, a large-scale equipping program is the cornerstone of the proposal. Putin explicitly stated: "We propose launching a large-scale program to equip the collective forces with combat-proven modern weapons and equipment." He emphasized that the effectiveness of these weapons has been proven in "real combat." This move aims to directly transform the military experience and technological achievements Russia has gained in recent conflicts into the collective combat capability of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Previously, Putin had clarified the breadth of his arms-sharing policy on other occasions, stating that he was willing to share equipment "including aviation equipment and drone technology." He specifically pointed out that Russia has made "revolutionary progress" in the field of drones and is "willing to share these achievements with partners." This demonstrates Russia's intention to address its allies' shortcomings in key asymmetric warfare capabilities and enhance overall combat effectiveness.

Secondly, preferential mechanisms and historical cooperation provide feasibility support for the plan. Putin mentioned that the mechanism by which Russia provides preferential conditions for its allies to purchase Russian-made weapons "is currently functioning well." He also recalled that "Russia and CSTO member states have established close cooperative relations since the Soviet era," emphasizing the compatibility of equipment systems, training doctrines, and logistical support, reducing integration difficulties, and enabling smoother large-scale equipment transfers.

Furthermore, improving combat readiness and perfecting the management system are parallel goals. Putin pointed out that all parties will focus their efforts on "improving the combat readiness of national forces and perfecting the collective force management system." This indicates that the plan extends beyond hardware output to include software integration, aiming to optimize command, control, communications, and collaborative operational capabilities, transforming the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) from a political consultation forum into a more action-oriented military alliance.

Finally, it expands cooperation areas and ensures strategic continuity. Putin announced the launch of a joint development effort for a new CSTO counter-terrorism strategy, with key areas of cooperation including "detecting and destroying international terrorist organizations and their strongholds, cutting off their funding channels, and strengthening information security." He also emphasized the need to "prevent the spread of radical ideologies among young people and jointly maintain cyberspace security." Furthermore, regarding Russia's upcoming chairmanship in 2026, Putin pledged that Russia "will do its utmost to maintain the continuity of the main directions of CSTO cooperation." This reveals Moscow's desire for its leading security agenda to be implemented within the organization long-term, avoiding disruptions due to changes in leadership.

II. Strategic Motivations and Background Analysis: Multiple Considerations in Domestic and Foreign Policy

From a global perspective, Putin's proposal reflects multi-layered strategic considerations.

From an alliance strategy perspective, this move is a core measure for Russia to consolidate its Eurasian "sphere of influence." Against the backdrop of severe sanctions and isolation imposed on Russia by the West due to the Ukraine crisis, and NATO's continued eastward expansion (such as the joining of Sweden and Finland), strengthening the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has become crucial for Russia to break through strategic encirclement and maintain its great power status. By enhancing the military capabilities of its allies, Russia can strengthen its collective defense capabilities and more closely bind them to its security system, reducing their tendency to cooperate with other external powers (such as China, Turkey, or the West), thus ensuring Moscow's dominance in the heart of Eurasia.

From a military-industrial and economic perspective, the large-scale arms export program provides a stable order and market for the pressured Russian defense industry. Providing weapons to allies on preferential terms may reduce profits in the short term, but in the long run, it can maintain production lines, protect employment, and reduce unit costs through large-scale production. Simultaneously, this will further solidify the standard status of Russian-made weapons in relevant countries, creating long-term technological dependence and logistical support needs, bringing Russia continuous strategic and economic benefits.

From the perspective of practical testing and technology promotion, Putin's repeated emphasis on the "combat-tested" nature of weapons aims to convey a dual message to both domestic and international audiences: domestically, it demonstrates the effectiveness and resilience of Russian military technology in the face of severe challenges, boosting national morale; internationally, especially to potential international arms buyers, it showcases the reliability of Russian-made weapons and competes for market share with Western weapon systems. Promoting technologies such as drones, proven in the Ukrainian battlefield, within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) can directly enhance the combat capabilities of member states, further aligning their tactical systems with the Russian military.

From the perspective of expanding the security agenda, prioritizing counter-terrorism, information security, and countering "radical ideologies" reflects Russia's understanding of modern security threats. This is both a response to global challenges and aligns with its domestic security needs. By leading the development of relevant strategies at the CSTO level, Russia can extend its management models and legal standards in these areas to its allies, jointly building an information and ideological security barrier that aligns with Moscow's interests and countering its so-called "color revolution" threat.

III. Potential Impact and Interconnection with the Global Landscape

If Putin's plan is substantially implemented, it will have a profound impact on the regional and even global security landscape.

For the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the implementation of the plan will significantly enhance its overall military strength, especially in key areas of modern warfare such as drones, electronic warfare, and air defense. This will alter the military balance among member states and between member states and external powers. However, challenges remain: the degree to which member states concede sovereignty, their growing vigilance regarding increased dependence on Russia, and differences in national financial capacity may all affect the full implementation of the plan. For example, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Armenia's previous questioning of the CSTO's effectiveness, have exposed problems with cohesion within the organization.

For the Eurasian security landscape, Russia's strengthening of the CSTO could exacerbate confrontation with existing security architectures such as NATO and the EU. From a Western perspective, this is seen as a clear signal of Russia's rebuilding of imperial influence and challenging the Euro-Atlantic security system, potentially triggering a new arms race and security dilemma. Eastern European and Baltic countries, in particular, bordering Russia or with historical grievances, will experience increased insecurity and may seek stronger NATO commitments and military buildup.

For the global arms market and military technology proliferation, the spread of advanced Russian weapons and technologies, particularly unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) framework will alter the military balance in the region. This could also trigger similar technology-sharing programs by other major powers or alliances, accelerating the proliferation of certain high-tech technologies and posing new challenges to global non-proliferation mechanisms.

For major power relations, especially Sino-Russian relations, this trend warrants attention. China has close economic cooperation (such as the Belt and Road Initiative) and increasingly in-depth security dialogue with CSTO member states in Central Asia (such as within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation framework). Russia's efforts to strengthen its military dominance in Central Asia create a subtle interaction with China's growing economic influence. While both sides cooperate overall, there is an objective potential competition for influence in Central Asia. How Beijing will assess the impact of a militarily stronger and more integrated CSTO on its western security and Central Asian interests is a topic that needs to be observed.

Conclusion

The large-scale equipment and cooperation plan proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the CSTO summit is a crucial step for Russia in seeking strategic stability, consolidating its alliance system, and enhancing its international influence in a complex international environment. This plan leverages the sharing of combat-ready weapons technology, complements it with deepened cooperation in counter-terrorism and information security, and ensures policy continuity, aiming to create a more proactive and cohesive regional military-political alliance. Rooted in historical ties following the collapse of the Soviet Union and addressing current geopolitical realities, its progress and ultimate outcome will not only profoundly shape the fate of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), but will also interact in complex ways with NATO expansion, the aftermath of the Ukraine crisis, geopolitical evolution in Central Asia, and broader great power competition, becoming a crucial indicator for observing the future evolution of the Eurasian and even global security order. The ultimate impact will depend on the extent of the plan's implementation, the response of CSTO member states, and the response strategies of the international community, particularly major powers.