Russian military hardware best in the world
The global arms market has been growing steadily
during the recent years. Russian arms are in high demand on this market, and it
is the weapons and equipment of Soviet development that are competitive most.
Their performance is even better than that of advanced Western models for
certain tasks. In 2012, the Russian Federation has topped the arms export
plan.
Russian (Soviet) small arms and more
sophisticated equipment works smoothly and efficiently in all climate
conditions. On December 5th, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
published a report, which said that Iranian pilots on Soviet Su-25 fighter jets
(NATO: Frogfoot) intercepted advanced U.S. drone USAF MQ-1 Predator over the
Persian Gulf. The authors of the report said that the Soviet-made aircraft was
not an interceptor: it was not equipped with modern radars, but it could
successfully destroy state-of-the-art aircraft, Worldtribune.com
wrote.
Here is another example to prove the efficiency
of Russian-made military hardware. The Pentagon was forced to recognize the
indispensability of Russian Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan. The Pentagon even
concluded a contract with Rosoboronexport (Russia's defense export giant) worth
$900 million. The contract has to be approved by the US President, though, due
to negative recommendations from the Congress. However, such assessments of
military experts of Russia's main strategic adversary say that Russian weapons
are very promising in terms of its competitiveness in the world market.
This was, in fact, announced by President
Vladimir Putin on December 17 at the meeting of the commission on military and
technical cooperation. Assessing the results of the year 2012, Putin said that
Russia had sold arms and services worth more than 14 billion dollars (13.5
billion under the plan). The volume of new contracts made up approximately $15
billion. The president also outlined the directions, where Russia may continue
its progress at this point.
First off, it goes about the joint production of
military products and research developments. As an example, one can name a joint
project with Serbia for the production of multiple versions of armored vehicles
in the Serbian town of Velika Plana. The vehicles will be exported presumably to
Kenya and Bangladesh. Not that long ago, an agreement was signed between
"Russian Technologies" and Brazilian defense company Odebrecht Defensa e
Technologia about the establishment of a joint venture, which, in particular,
will assemble a line of multipurpose Mi-171 helicopters in Brazil.
Russian companies are involved in a number of
joint projects with India, including the creation of fighter jets FGFA (based on
the T-50) and Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles. China wants Russian designers
to take part in the development of engines for its fighters. This will eliminate
counterfeits of Russian brands and help Russia find a place on partners'
markets.
The second, and perhaps the most promising
direction, is "the restoration of position in the market for military
modernization and repairs of hardware," Putin said. Russian defense industry
companies have obtained more rights this year to conclude contracts with foreign
customers. It was stated at the meeting in Sochi in early July 2012 that the
export of services provided by Russian defense companies in 2011 amounted to
about 2.5 billion rubles, which accounted for 18 percent of the total volume of
all military exports from Russia. This year, the figures will probably be
larger.
To give an example of such cooperation, one can
refer to the contract with NATO for servicing helicopter fleet in Afghanistan.
The contract currently goes through the signing process. A similar agreement was
signed during the recent visit of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to Moscow.
Brazil increases the fleet of military helicopters Mi-35M.
Soviet military hardware is also in demand in
Africa. The continent's strongest armies of Algeria, Uganda, Chad are armed with
the latest models of the T-90, T-70 tanks and Su-35M jets. Libya has recently
asked the Russian government to resume military cooperation and render
assistance in the modernization of the previously delivered military equipment.
In particular, the new Libyan authorities are interested in the hardware that
was left in the country after the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime. The country
has already signed a contract to upgrade 200 T-72 tanks.
Bahrain has requested servicing a large quantity
of Kalashnikov AK103 rifles. Now is the time for Russia to offer these services
to Africa and Asia to maintain the park of Soviet military equipment, which the
above-mentioned countries prefer for its remarkable performance in all climate
conditions, as well as for its price and quality.
At present, Russian arms and military equipment
are supplied to 88 countries of the world. Fifty-seven of them are regular
customers. India remains the largest buyer of Russian military equipment. The
country buys Su-30MKI fighters and T-90S tanks. China is the second importer.
The country bought AL-31FN and D-30KP-2 aviation engines in the amount of $1.2
billion and Mi-17 helicopters worth $700 million. Vietnam comes next on the list
(about $2 billion): the country purchased a submarine of Project 636 and
Lightning sea boats. The numbers of contracts with other major importers -
Algeria, Venezuela, Syria - have not been disclosed.
Russia's portfolio of agreements also includes a
package of contracts with Iraq worth more than $4 billion. Vladimir Putin said
that Russia should promote its weapons. According to him, such work "should help
in the military-patriotic education of our citizens, especially young people."
Indeed, for Russia's image abroad, the Kalashnikov assault rifle has done more
than all our achievements combined.
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