yes at least under the communists in russia there wasn't that gap between the rich and the poor to the extent there is now and back then the technological gap in manufacturing wasn't as great either
russia are going backwards under putin .....their huge oil and gas assets have made them complacent and accepting of low standards in everything (except corruption which is best in Europe - gold medal for that !)
russia used to be maybe the country in the world with the biggest proportion of GDP from weapons manufacture - when countries buy your weapons they become to an extent dependant on your for spares and maintainance ....eg India ....but when the weapons show inferior to western weapons in combat the house of cards fall apart and sales disappear
I'm not aware of any russ produced weapon that is best in the world ...certainly not aircraft ....certainly not tanks ...nor artillery ....Khinjals were lauded .....until they were actually used in combat ....
(Ukraine may be able to claim their marine drones though as best in class )
