... in 1698 with the formation from conscripts and volunteers of 27 infantry regiments and 2 dragoon regiments, numbering around 30,000 men. Such growth continued throughout his reign until by 1725 some 285,000 men had been recruited. Together with the introduction of standard drill manuals for the whole army, Peter's forces were raised into a position where they were a match both in quality and in number for any European adversary. Despite the persistence of old Muscovite practices such as the self-maintenance of some units, and despite the high losses caused by desertion (as was inevitable with a large conscript force), the westernisation of the Russian army was pursued with vigour under Peter. Alongside the development of the army, Peter's reign saw the novelty of the creation of a significant Russian naval force. While the use of the new fleets in the Caspian and Black Seas could be seen as simply a ...

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