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Russia’s Weapon Exports to Latin America Becomes the U.S. Concern
Moscow’s developing bilateral security relations with Latin America, including the growth in exports of Russia’s weapons there, is a matter of some concern for Washington, analysts of Council on Hemispheric Affairs (CONA) concluded in the report.
Having drawn attention to the steady growth in Russia’s armament deliveries to Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, the masterminds of the report emphasized that the U.S. was being pushed out of market it had once dominated. “Moscow’s military sales may have gradually altered the geo-security landscape of much of the Americas. These results are not likely to please Washington policymakers,” the report said.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has stated this week that the foreign orders for Russia’s weapons amount to roughly $30 billion today. Even though the better part is covered by China and India (roughly 60 percent), Latin America is gaining in weight.
“Already nowadays, this market is the third in structure of military equipment deliveries after India and China,” Rosoboronexport briefer Valery Kartavtsev told RBC Daily. Quite a number of Latin American Armies are eager to diversify weapons deliveries to be independent of the United States.
The market players say Rosoboronexport may soon ink a contract with Brazilian Air Forces to supply 30 Mi-35 and Mi-171 helicopters there. The budget of the deal is estimated at $400 million, the media of Brazil reported.
”Russia’s buildup in Latin America roots, first of all, in the buildup of anti-American sentiment in Venezuela, which ordered military equipment for $3.5 billion in the last couple of years,” said Konstantin Makienko, deputy general director at Strategy and Technology Analysis Center. Venezuela may also buy from Russia RM-1 air defense systems and submarines, Makienko predicted.
www.kommersant.com
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