Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Chairman Igor Sevastyanov said the United States will buy $400 million worth of Russian arms. The Russia Journal reported on July 13 that Sevastyanov revealed the information during the Russian Expo Arms-2006 exhibition in Nizhny Tagil on Wednesday. Analysts speculate that the Russian arms could be used for equipping the Afghan National Army.
After energy exports Russian military exports are the country's second most profitable foreign sales. As of March 31 Rosoboronexport had $17 billion in orders. China remains Russia's most profitable export market, followed by India. In 2004 Rosoboronexport exported $6.1 billion in arms to 61 countries.
Naval equipment accounted for more than 52 percent of Russia's total arms exports with aircraft accounting for an additional 44 percent. In 2005 Rosoboronexport signed more than $9 billion worth of contracts.
Makes sense. Reasonable quality, low maintenance, much lower shipping costs, ease of use, and much less valuable on the black market. |