Russian arms sellers seek solvent and friendly clients

Significance

With arms exports estimated at 14 billion dollars in 2016, Russia is the world's second-largest exporter of weapons after the United States. Sales of military technology support the foreign policy aims of consolidating ties with friendly states and building new partnerships, but market expansion is also driven by commercial goals and the imperative of supporting a major domestic sector.

Impacts

• New models including the Armata tank, fifth-generation fighter and S-500 missiles will be withheld until the Russian military has enough.
• Sudden geopolitical shifts as in Turkey and the Philippines will offer new arms export opportunities.
• Low oil prices will affect demand for Russian equipment in countries such as Algeria and Venezuela.