Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday touted Russian weapons to his foreign allies, saying they had proven themselves on the battlefield amid military intervention in Ukraine.
“We are ready to offer our allies and partners the most modern types of weapons, from infantry weapons to armored vehicles, including artillery, fighter jets or drones,” said Putin. “All over the world (these weapons) are valued by professionals for their reliability, their quality and above all for their high efficiency. Almost all of them have been used again and again under real combat conditions.” he continued.
The Kremlin chief was speaking on the first day of an international arms fair held for a week in Kubinka, Moscow region, where around 1,500 participants are expected.
Vladimir Putin assured that Russia did this “many allies”refers in particular to “bond of trust” in Latin America, Asia and Africa. “These are states that do not bow to so-called hegemony. Their leaders show a real masculine character.” he pointed out.
According to him, foreign soldiers can also be trained in Russia “great views”. “Thousands of military professionals are proud to call our military schools and academies their alma mater,” assured Vladimir Putin. He also invited Russia’s allies to take part in joint military maneuvers with Moscow.
19% of the world market
Between 2017 and 2021, Russia was the second-largest arms exporter with 19% of the world market, according to the Stockholm Institute (Sipri) report, figures that this source says have been steadily declining in recent years.
The consequences of Western sanctions against Russia since its offensive in Ukraine could further penalize its defense industry, particularly by blocking its logistical and financial circuits. Russian weapons also use foreign components that are now inaccessible for import.
Despite these difficulties, the director of Russia’s Federal Agency for Armaments Cooperation, Dmitry Shugaev, told Ria-Novosti agency on Monday that Russia signed new arms export contracts worth $16 billion in 2022, with an order backlog of $57 billion.
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