Fully "blossom" and consolidate its position
All along, the arms trade is not only one of the main sources of Russian foreign exchange income, but also an important means to exert military and political influence and play geopolitical games. In recent years, in the face of western sanctions and competition in the international arms market, Russia has constantly adjusted its arms export strategy, taking high-tech weapons and main battle equipment as selling points and full-cycle service as marketing means to actively expand the arms market.
According to the data released by Russia, in 20021year, Russian overseas arms sales continued to maintain a stable share in the global market. Among them, countries in the Asia-Pacific region and CIS countries account for about 75% of Russia's total foreign arms exports. India, Vietnam and other countries are the main buyers, and military purchase orders account for nearly half of the total share.
In order to stabilize old customers such as India, Russia has stepped up its efforts to tackle key problems. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister shoigu personally conducted arms sales diplomacy. On the one hand, the government is considering selling advanced weapons to India to attract India to buy anti-aircraft missiles and radars. On the other hand, bundling advanced weapons technology to India will increase the gold content of arms sales.
In 20021year, India increased its defense budget, giving priority to purchasing Russian-made equipment, and the purchase amount increased by 8% compared with 2020. Russian media said that Russian-made equipment currently accounts for nearly 70% of India's military arsenal. In recent years, although the United States, France and other countries have tried to nibble at India's arms purchase market through various means, Russia's stable chassis has ensured the leading position in arms sales to India.
Russia also keeps a close eye on potential customers and promotes products through customized ideas through military negotiations, joint military exercises and international weapons and equipment exhibitions. During the year, Russia * * * delivered 12 Jacques-130 trainers to Vietnam, with a total amount of 350 million US dollars. This is another big cooperation after the conventional submarine and light frigate projects of both sides.
Within the scope of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia successfully signed an arms sales contract with Belarus for advanced weapon systems such as the S-400 air defense missile system. Aviation weapons worth nearly 40 million US dollars and 654.38 million US dollars were delivered to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively. According to the report, Russia is promoting the export of air defense weapons with the framework of building a regional integrated air defense system.
In addition, following the successful sales of the S-400 air defense missile system, Russia will push the S-500 new generation air defense missile system to the international market. Shoigu said at the recent defense military conference in Sochi that there are many potential buyers for S-500 and S-400 air defense missile systems, including Middle East, Central Asia and ASEAN countries. While earning foreign exchange, Russia uses advanced air defense system to incite regional geopolitical pattern.
In the European, African and American markets, the share of Russian arms sales has remained stable and rising. Russia and Serbia, Greece, Hungary and other countries continue to sign orders for light weapons and equipment to promote the sale of helicopters and air defense weapons. With competitive advantages such as low price, reliability and easy operation, Russia has signed arms export contracts with African countries of more than 654.38+0.7 billion US dollars. Export "Armor -S 1" missile-gun integrated air defense system to Brazil, and sell Mi-17 1 series helicopters to Peru and other countries. Foreign media said that Russia's arms trade expanded to the "backyard" of the United States and Europe, aiming to break through the diplomatic blockade through arms sales cooperation.
Platform effect expands influence
According to the report, the Russian Ministry of National Defense released the platform effect through large-scale exhibitions or international forums, which kept the foreign arms sales booming.
From July 20th to 25th, Russia held the15th Moscow International Air Show. Against the background of constant resistance from western countries, Russia has introduced the most advanced aviation technology and equipment, attracting more than 300 enterprises from 56 countries to participate in the exhibition in Russia. During the air show, the first fifth-generation single-engine light fighter "General" of the Russian Air Force made its debut, with more than 300 orders; Orion -E UAV has also received multiple purchase applications. According to Russian media, the Russian defense export company signed the 13 contract, and the Russian Military Technical Cooperation Bureau reached technical equipment export agreements with many countries.
After provoking a wave of arms sales boom through the Moscow Air Show, in August, Russia held the "Army -202 1" international military technology forum in Moscow and other places. During the 10-day forum, Russia focused on the achievements of equipment modernization in recent years, including export-oriented T-90m tanks, "boomerang" armored vehicles, Ka -52 helicopter gunships and Su -57 fighter jets. The Russian military forum is held at the same time as international military competitions, and the influence of the forum is enhanced through military diplomatic activities. In the meantime, Russian anti-export companies have signed long-term cooperation agreements with 35 countries, with export orders totaling more than 50 billion US dollars. At the Eastern Economic Forum in September, Russia recommended aerospace and other high-tech achievements to the participating countries.
In addition to accumulating popularity in domestic activities, Russia also actively participated in international weapons and equipment exhibitions held in Singapore, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi and other countries, which not only promoted domestic products, but also took the opportunity to understand market demand and conduct targeted arms sales. It is reported that aviation technology and equipment have become the signboard of Russian overseas weapons exhibitions, accounting for nearly half of Russia's total foreign arms sales.
The solution is "dollarization"
The Russian military widely implements the "dollarization" settlement method in foreign arms sales activities. Mikhayev, president of the Russian anti-export company, said that this year, the company has not signed any arms export contracts settled in US dollars.
On the one hand, this is caused by American repression. According to the so-called "Counter-attack against American Enemies with Sanctions Act" unilaterally implemented by the United States, the US government will impose sanctions on countries that have signed arms purchase agreements with Russia or plan to carry out technical cooperation. In order to resist the US sanctions and get rid of the influence of the US dollar on the national economy, Russia chose the ruble or other countries' currencies for settlement, so as to avoid the phenomenon that the US interfered in payment and sales were broken.
On the other hand, dollarization, as a decoupling strategy, helps the ruble to stabilize the market position of the international currency exchange rate and lay the foundation for the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia-Belarus economic integration and other mechanisms. Russian military experts said that due to NATO's continued hostility to Russia, Russia has made great efforts to develop its armament force, and made foreign arms sales and energy cards the pillars of its economic development. The dollarization of military purchase settlement is an effective economic policy in the military field.