Russia diversifying arms exports

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport annually signs 1,000 to 1,700 arms export contracts. Aircraft, notably Su-30MK Flanker-C multirole fighters and MiG-29 Fulcrum air-superiority fighters account for the bulk of Russian arms exports. Photo: The Strizhi [Swifts] aerobatic team flying MiG-29 planes.

Since 1999 China and India have received 100 and 50 Su-30MK fighters, respectively. Moreover, China and India received 100 and 50 Su-30MK knock-down kits, respectively, according to a market survey assessing Russia’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries. Photo: A Su-30MK two-seat, highly maneuverable and multi-role fighter performing a demonstration flight.

Algeria, Venezuela and Malaysia have ordered 28, 24 and 18 Su-30s, respectively. Vietnam, Indonesia and Ethiopia have also bought small batches of Su-30MK fighters. Photo: A Su-30MK fighter performing a demonstration flight.

Since the early 2000s, MiG-29 fighters have been delivered to Sudan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Eritrea. In 2004, a contract for the production of 16 MiG-29K Fulcrum carrier-based fighters for the Indian Navy was signed. Photo: A fourth-generation MiG-29 fighter performing a demonstration flight.

In the early 21st century, China became a major importer of Russian naval weapons, receiving three destroyers, 12 submarines and large numbers of ship-launched missiles since 2000. India has received three state-of-the-art Project 11356 Talwar class frigates over the same period and has ordered three more warships of the same class. In 2004, India signed a contract for the purchase of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. Photo: The aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

China buys the most Russian air-defense weapons, ordering over ten battalions of S-300-PMU-1 and S-300-PMU-2 long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Vietnam has acquired two S-300-PMU-1 battalions. Photo: An S-300-PMU-2 Favorit SAM.

The above-mentioned market survey assessing Russia’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries said India had purchased 700 T-90S main battle tanks from Russia. Photo: A Russian T-90S main battle tank at a military proving ground.

In December 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited India. At that time, both countries signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17 Hip military-transport helicopters to India. Rosoboronexport hopes to deliver the first helicopters in 2010. Photo: A Mi-17 multi-role helicopter at the test-flight facility of the Kazan Helicopter Plant.

India will receive the first Mi-171 helicopter by the end of 2009. Photo: A Mi-171 helicopter flying over the Caucasus mountains.

Russia has also signed a contract for building Molniya class fast attack boats for the Libyan Navy. Tripoli also wants to purchase Su-30MKI fighters, T-90 tanks and Tor-M2E air defense systems and to upgrade T-72 main battle tanks. Photo: T-72 main battle tanks.

In 2009, Rosoboronexport signed contracts for the delivery of BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles to an unspecified Arab country and for the delivery of spare weapons parts to an unspecified European country. The company is currently negotiating the modernization of BMP-3M vehicles with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. NATO countries, primarily Greece and Turkey, are extremely interested in Russian defense-industry products. A contract for the delivery of Russian infantry fighting vehicles was earlier signed with Greece. Photo: A BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle at a proving ground.