Meanwhile Russia Continues To Build ...

 ... nuclear ice-breakers. 

While much is being said about Arctic Sea Route and its economic viability, what many bean counters (totally expected from people with MBA) from all kinds of "economic think-tanks" forget is that Arctic Sea Route is critical for Russia herself, international economic significance of this route notwithstanding. But same as with warfare, it is difficult to explain to average "economist" who grew up and was indoctrinated with all kinds of pseudo-economic BS such as "capitalization", stock market and futures, what national security is for such a nation as Russia, which cannot be measured in Rubles only. Mind you, Russians seldom mention costs of anything. In the West--the ONLY thing they emphasize is price. E.g. $13.5 billion aircraft carrier, $2.1 billion bomber etc. as if costs and price make it anymore combat capable. 

Well, those $1 billion Patriots discredited themselves so much, that Switzerland now considers alternative systems. 

PARIS — Switzerland will consider acquiring a second long-range air-defense system, preferably produced in Europe, as delivery of previously ordered Patriot systems by the United States will be delayed by four to five years, the government said on Friday. The country will also buy fewer Lockheed Martin F-35 jets than initially planned after unit costs of the fighter increased, with the government unwilling to provide the additional budget to maintain to the original number of 36 ordered aircraft, Martin Pfister, the federal councillor for defense, said in a press conference. 

Well, it is not only about delays, it is because of a humiliating "performance" by the US-made AD (and other hardware). Not that European-made Aster-family missiles and their platforms, such as SAMP-T are any better, both are failures in real war--they are the same dung as American systems, but Swiss do not have options. There is a lot to unpack in terms of military production in the West, but as we all know--most of it is about PR. But that are Swiss' problems, aren't they?