Russia's Arms Industry Is Booming

Russian Arms Exports Hit Record in 2009 -- Defense News

MOSCOW - The global financial crunch didn't stop Russian defense exports from hitting a record $7.4 billion in 2009, and the prospects remain bright for the next few years, the governmental arms export agency said Jan. 28.

Its 2009 total was up 10 percent from the previous year, and "in 2010, we expect to earn no less," Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin told reporters here.

Bookings also hit a record high of $34 billion, up $15 billion, Isaikin said.

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More News On Russia's Arms Industry

Russia expects to sell no less than $7.4 bln of arms in 2010 -- RIA Novosti
Russia reports rise in arms exports in 2009 -- Daily Times
Russia's arms exports surge -- Global Times
Russia's arms trader: '10 orders no less than '09 -- Reuters
Arms exports defy recession -- Straits Times
Head of Russian state arms trader says no obstacles to weapons sales to Iran -- Canadian Press
Russia free to sell weapons to Iran - state arms exporter -- Ria Novosti
Rosoboronexport Sees No Obstacles to Iran Arms Deal -- Moscow Times

Russia Begins To Capture New Arab Arms Markets - Envoy

From RIA Novosti:

MOSCOW, February 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is beginning to capture new arms markets of Arab countries that were earlier oriented to the West, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation said.

"Russia is beginning to enter new armaments markets where our presence was previously considered as hardly probable. In particular, some Persian Gulf countries, including Qatar and Kuwait, are displaying certain interest in the development of military and technical cooperation," Mikhail Dmitriyev said on the eve of an international defense exhibition opening on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates.

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My Comment: The arms markets are going to be hot in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for many years to come. The Russians weapon platforms are just as reliable as most other countries .... and also a bit cheaper.