Russian arms exports fell by almost 50%, decline began even before full-scale invasion of Ukraine
The aggressor country of russia has reduced its arms exports by almost 50% in the two years since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The reason for this was Western sanctions and Moscow's change in priority to equipping its own army with weapons.
This is stated in a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report states that russian arms exports began to decline in 2015. And two years before the full-scale invasion (2020-2021), arms exports were lower than in any other year since the beginning of the century. This was largely due to a reduction in arms orders from China and India.
SIPRI analysts believe that the reduction in exports is due to russia's decision to give priority to the production of basic weapons for its own armed forces, rather than for sale abroad.
In addition, the decline in russian exports was influenced by multilateral trade sanctions and increased pressure from the United States and its allies on states that bought or wanted to buy weapons from russia.
SIPRI also said that between 2020 and 2024, russia supplied the main types of weapons to 33 states. Three-quarters of exports fell to countries in Asia and Oceania. African countries accounted for 12%, Europe - 7.4%, and another 6.4% to the Middle East.
Shortly before the full-scale invasion and after it began, India, China and Kazakhstan became the main buyers of russian weapons.
The table below lists the 25 largest arms exporters (right), as well as the countries that became the largest buyers of their weapons (right).
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has allowed American manufacturers to strengthen their dominance in the global arms market. The country now accounts for 43% of global exports.
As a reminder, the day before yesterday, Indian media reported that India had signed a USD 248 million contract with russia to supply engines for T-72 tanks, which are in service with the Indian army.
We also wrote that the German defense concern Rheinmetall will stop producing cars at its plants in Berlin and Neuss. Their activities will be reoriented to weapons production.