THE XXI CENTURY ENCYCLOPEDIA – VOL II "ROCKET AND ARTILLERY ARMAMENT OF THE GROUND FORCES"

National Defense. November 2001

It is possible that Volume II is not only better than Vol. I (Strategic Nuclear Forces – which we covered in a previous of National Defense Magazine) but a portend of more volumes to come? Lets look at this volume from different perspectives!

First, the quality of printing, full color pictures, technical diagrams, charts, and illustrations are outstanding. Something that is rarely seen in any Encyclopedia we have ever seen. It is true that the costs to produce such a standard of quality have become prohibitive, but that didn't seem to faze the Arms and Technology Publishing House, or General Director Nikolai Spassky, the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief. Amazingly, the cost of this 685 page volume has been kept at $ 495.00 plus S&H of $ 15.00 (in the U.S.) which will certainly take a bite out of long-standing competitors in the Defense Marketplace with their Black & White photos and escalating prices. There is nothing available to equal it in the marketplace or in publication, at this point!

Second, viewed from another perspective, the material covered in considerable detail that is included in the volume, will tantalize both the military historian or Intelligence specialist with its coverage of current and prospective rocket and artillery systems, Theater and Tactical Missile systems, and SAMs. It also covers their specifications and missions! But there are hidden assets to be found in this volume such as:

- Small Arms

- Anti[Tank Guided Weapons

- Fire Control & Computer systems

- Reconnaissance Radars

- Observation & Aiming Devices

- Support, Training & Simulation equipment

- Automated Battle Management Systems

- Flame Throwers

- Special Purpose Weapons

Much of the material was recently declassified and offers numerous Russian weapons system references that have hitherto been know only by NATO designations.

Third, we get to know the makers, manufacturers, and developers, their nomenclature, and most interestingly, their capabilities and potential. A section called Industrial Enterprises that includes State Enterprises and Joint Stock Companies provides Points-of-Contact with those industries, thereby facilitating a level of sophisticated marketing known only, until now, in the West. This book takes a page from the French and British Defence Industries that banded together into a national enterprise coop to market their government's exports. It brings a new level of capability and expertise, as well as, style to the defense industry.

An unusual, and certainly precedent setting feature, found in the beginning pages of this volume, is the addition to the forward of Editor-in-Chief, Nikolai Spassky, by Russian President, Vladimir V. Putin. Could you imagine George Bush providing support for such a book in the US? There is clear mention of key individuals in the Russian Federation's Defense Ministry that can help interested parties establish contact with user's to observe some of these systems in action. Additionally, these are accompanied by articles from several Russian Military officials that include, as an example, Lt.-Gen. Nikolai Svertilov, Chief of the Rocket & Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Considering that this series bears the approval and considerable support of Sergei Ivanov, Defense Minister of the Russian Federation, the Russians have shown the Defense Industry that their systems and capability to develop state-of-the-art systems are challenging the best of the west.