Russian Arms Sales and Sanctions Compliance

France Preparing to Offer Rafale Jets to Ukraine as MiG-29 Replacement

March 31, 2021 | Defense World

France is looking to offer its Rafale aircraft to Ukraine as a replacement for Ukraine's Soviet Union/Russian-made MiG-29. The article also claims that the United States is attempting to sell its F-16 to Ukraine to fill that same requirement.

Released Report: Why The Export of Russian Weapons Was Underestimated (Вышло докладно: почему экспорт российского оружия занизили)

March 21, 2021 | Izvestiya

Despite the pandemic, there has not been a significant drop in Russian arms exports. Earlier, Bekkhan Ozdoev, the industrial director of Rostec, said in an interview in Izvestiya that the state defense order would be fulfilled in full. Meanwhile, the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its annual report on arms trade this week. The current report says that Russia's position has sagged significantly over the past few years, but Russian military experts disagree with the method for calculating arms sales. First, SIPRI does not use market values for arms sales, instead using a custom indexed value. Second, since the implementation of CAATSA sanctions by the United States in 2016, Russian arms exports have been less transparent, leading to a perceived decrease in Russian arms sales.

Russia to Join MiG and Sukhoi in a Single Company

March 20, 2021 | Airway

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG and Sukhoi Aviation JSC will join under United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Russia is doing this to "reduce costs and increase the productivity of the UAC group." Included in the reorganization is Tupolev, Ilyushin, and Irkut. Rostec's Sergei Chemezov also stated that "systemic reforms should improve the structure of the company and solve the issues of its financial stability."

Rostec Gave United Aircraft Corporation More than 30 Billion Rubles for Debt Coverage ("Ростех" выделил ОАК более 30 млрд рублей на покрытие долгов)

March 19, 2021 | Interfax

United Aircraft Corporation received more than 30 billion rubles from Rostec to cover its debts. According to Yuurii Borisov, the former Vice Prime Minister of Russia, United Aircraft Corporation has problematic debt with banks worth around 400 billion rubles. United Aircraft Corporation is undergoing recapitalization and restructuring of problematic debt in order to optimize the company.

Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2020

March 17, 2021 | Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

A March 2021 SIPRI report highlighting trends in arms exports in 2020 stated that, "Russian arms exports decreased by 22 percent between 2011–2015 and 2016–2020," which was largely attributable to a decrease in arms exports to India. According to the report, India's arms imports during these periods decreased by 33 percent, which "seems to be mainly due to its complex and lengthy procurement processes, combined with its attempts to reduce its dependence on Russian arms by diversifying its network of arms suppliers." The report also noted how India's imports from France and Israel significantly increased between 2016–2020 and that India's arms exports are expected to increase over the next five years due to several outstanding deliveries including from Russia.

How China’s Stealth J-20 Fighter Jets Are Being ‘Held Hostage’ by Both US & Russia?

March 13, 2021 | EurAsian Times

China is attempting to acquire Ukrainian company Motor Sich, given China's "dearth of high-quality engines to power its J-20 fighters," but this report claims the United States and Ukraine have stopped the acquisition. Historically, China has used Russian engines for its fighter aircraft, but Russia has been reluctant to sell engines only, wanting instead to export the full aircraft.

Lukashenko's Brutal Crackdown Has Lethal Help from Moscow

March 04, 2021 | Foreign Policy

An investigative group of former security service workers and law enforcement officers in Belarus (BYPOL) conducted an investigation which found "widespread use of Russian weapons and ammunition used by Lukashenko's forces to put down protests." Kalashnikov, KBP Instrument Design Bureau, and Rosoboronexport are noted by name, with Rosoboronexport previously advertising many of the arms and ammunition used in the crackdowns.

Copycat J-16 Jet "Much Superior" to the Su-30: Chinese PLA Pilot

March 25, 2021 | Defense World

A PLA pilot has told Chinese state media that its J-16 fighter, a copy of the Su-30, "is much superior" to the Su-30. China's "J-16 is a Su-30 derivative improved by replacing Russian subsystems with Chinese subsystems, and adding compatibility with Chinese weapons" while also incorporating Chinese-made engines.

U.S. Senate Armed Services Hearing for Admiral John Aquilino to Lead U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

March 24, 2021 | U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee

In his hearing to lead the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquilino noted India's longstanding defense relationship with Russia and that the United States should encourage India to reduce this relationship and consider U.S. equipment. When asked directly if the United States should sanction India for its S-400 purchase, Admiral Aquilino stated, "I think I would leave that to the policymakers to determine if that is a path. I think we certainly should understand where we are with India and I think potentially the encouragement angle in providing alternatives might be a better approach."

Norway Blocks Rolls-Royce's Plan to Sell Engine Maker to Russia

March 23, 2021 | Reuters

Norway blocked a deal for TMH Group (Transmashholding), a Russian company, to acquire Rolls-Royce subsidiary Bergen Engines, which provides engines for ship manufacturers. Norwegian officials said the technology at Bergen Engines and its engines "would have been of significant military strategic interest to Russia."

Ukrainian Engine for Turkey's ATAK 2 Helicopter

March 16, 2021 | Defense World

Turkey has struggled to develop domestic engines for its various ATAK helicopters, and now Turkey will source its heavy engine from Ukraine. Turkey has been unable to acquire engines from the United States due to ongoing tensions between the two countries and is unlikely to get export licenses for the engines it requires.

U.S. Defense Secretary Urges India to Avoid Buying Russian Equipment

March 20, 2021 | Reuters

In his recent visit to India, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed India's acquisition of the S-400 during a meeting with India's Minister of Defense stating, “We certainly urge all our allies, our partners to move away from Russian equipment ... and really avoid any kind of acquisitions that would trigger sanctions on our behalf." Prior to the trip, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez asked that Austin reiterate the U.S. administration's opposition to the purchase.

Indonesia May Abandon Military-Technical Cooperation with Russia (Индонезия может отказаться от военно-технического сотрудничества вс Россией)

March 18, 2021 | Nezavisimoe voennoe obozrenie

Indonesia may abandon military-technical cooperation with Russia, including the purchase of Su-35S fighters, due to CAATSA sanctions pressure from the United States. According to some Jakarta officials, the deal for the Su-35S has not been canceled but postponed indefinitely. Jakarta has also shown an interest in purchasing alternatives to the Su-35S, including French Rafale fighters and American F-35A, F-16V, and F-15EX fighters. On February 18, 2021, Indonesian Air Marshal Fajar Prasetio stated that six F-15EX fighters will arrive in 2022 with an additional two fighters arriving at a later date.

Is Ankara on Mission Impossible over S-400 Conundrum?

March 08, 2021 | Al-Monitor

This article states that "confusion reigns" in Turkey on how to deal with the S-400 crisis. The article highlights that the system's "acquisition went ahead without a proper technical review by the general staff, any real parliamentary oversight and a healthy public debate as the pro-government media shouted critics down." Though government representatives initially offered the "Crete model" as a way forward, Turkey has reportedly backed away from that. Another model, referred to as the Pakistan model (related to the nation's use of F-16s through a joint monitoring system), suggests the creation of a working group to monitor the system.

India Ready to Sell BrahMos, But Exports Remain Hostage to Concerns over CAATSA

March 04, 2021 | The Wire

This article states that India's export of BrahMos cruise missiles "remains hostage to unresolved concerns over" CAATSA, as Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (a sanctioned entity) is a partner in the BrahMos venture. India is reportedly in "advanced talks" to export the missiles to the Philippines, UAE, and Vietnam.