Russia's Defence Sector in Decline: Arms Sales Falter, India Cuts Imports by 50%

The global arms trade has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, with Russia experiencing a sharp decline in its military exports.

Between 2014-18 and 2019-23, Russian arms exports plummeted by 53%, highlighting the challenges faced by Russia's defence industry and signaling potential shifts in its global influence.

Diminishing Market Share​

Russia's shrinking arms export market is evident in the drastic reduction of recipient states. While Russia exported major arms to 31 states in 2019, that number fell to a mere 12 by 2023.

This decline underscores the difficulties Russia faces in maintaining its position as a leading arms supplier.

India's Shifting Dynamics​

Historically, the Asia and Oceania region has been a major market for Russian arms. From 2019 to 2023, this region accounted for 68% of Russia's total arms exports.

India has been the top importer of Russian arms (34%), followed by China (21%). However, India-Russia arms trade dynamics are changing.

Despite remaining India's largest supplier, this marks the first five-year period since 1960-64 in which India's imports from Russia or the Soviet Union accounted for less than half of its total arms purchases.

Factors Behind the Decline​

Several factors play into Russia's declining arms exports and the evolving international arms market:

• Competition: Countries like the United States, France, and Israel have risen as fierce competitors, offering cutting-edge military technology at competitive prices. This increased competition chips away at Russia's traditional market share.
• Geopolitical Tensions and Sanctions: International sanctions levied on Russia due to actions in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine act as serious roadblocks. These sanctions limit Russia's access to certain markets and hinder arms trade negotiations.
• Diversifying Suppliers: Countries like India, once heavily reliant on Russian imports, are actively seeking alternative suppliers. This diversification reduces dependence on any single arms exporter and fosters greater competition.

Conclusion​

The substantial decrease in Russia's arms exports sends ripples through the global arms trade landscape.

As nations diversify their sources for military hardware, Russia faces the challenge of adapting to increased competition and the limitations imposed by sanctions.

The continuous evolution of the market will undoubtedly shape the future of arms exports and geopolitical alliances.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Two major reasons for this reduction are:-

1. Russia is embroiled in a de-facto war with Europe which severly curtails its capacity to export as much of its production gets diverted to the theatre of war.
2. A lot of Russians are flocking into Goa these days. So they can be courted indigenously.

 

[NSR]

First and foremost, USA CAATSA legislation started the decline.
Now, Russia can't even meet its own demands for armaments at all.
Financial sanctions made it difficult to pay.

More financial sanctions coming so India must look elsewhere for armaments.

 

[Frank]

we can russias position(arms exporter for 3rd world) if we were smart

but we have duffer generals, anpad politicians and useless DPSUs and screw driver private comapnies...

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

we can russias position(arms exporter for 3rd world) if we were smart

but we have duffer generals, anpad politicians and useless DPSUs and screw driver private comapnies...

Smartness has nothing to do with it. Soviet union had largest military production capacity in the world for decades. It was lower than the west when it came to tech but it was cheaper and available in very large volumes, both of which are important for export.

 

[swapnil gawande]

Two major reasons for this reduction are:-

1. Russia is embroiled in a de-facto war with Europe which severly curtails its capacity to export as much of its production gets diverted to the theatre of war.
2. A lot of Russians are flocking into Goa these days. So they can be courted indigenously.

So a new DRDO lab in Goa can prove to be a game changer for atmanirbhar Bharat program? Sirji don't forget to contest election this time. Will like to see you as a defence minister..

 

[Frank]

Smartness has nothing to do with it. Soviet union had largest military production capacity in the world for decades. It was lower than the west when it came to tech but it was cheaper and available in very large volumes, both of which are important for export.

tiny tiny turkey exports more than us..

they did not make any fighter jet and directly made 5th gen jet

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

tiny tiny turkey exports more than us..

they did not make any fighter jet and directly made 5th gen jet

you are forgetting that turkey was a military superpower and was main player in WW1 while India had been colonised for over 100 years by then. Turkey has a long history of military industrial capacity. India has built much of its military industrial capacity in last 50 years. And India has allowed private players to operate freely only for last 7-8 years. It will take time for results to show.

 

[Sandeep]

India has made the right moves and they now need to concentrate on developing indigenous products and advanced technology like submarines, marine engines, jet engines, cruise missiles, jets, guns, rocket launcher, machine guns, maritime patrol plane, torpedos, SLCM, helicopter gun, helicopter mini rockets, transport plane etc.

India still has a long way to go but the military needs to accept Indian designed and developed weapons a lot more even if it's not perfect at the start. No country always develops the best weapon but in a war you have to fight with what you have designed and developed.

 

[Frank]

you are forgetting that turkey was a military superpower and was main player in WW1 while India had been colonised for over 100 years by then.

WHY HAS BEEN HINDUS C0LONISED FOR 1000 YEARS???

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

WHY HAS BEEN HINDUS C0LONISED FOR 1000 YEARS???

because there was no unity among hindus. Invading and colonising forces took advantage of this infighting and were succesful and ruling and col0nising us. But that is no longer the case.

 

[Rick Golder]

WHY HAS BEEN HINDUS C0LONISED FOR 1000 YEARS???

Bro if you actually gave no data or facts to back up your statement, then please do not comment and waste our time here. You are just beating around the bush and only passing useless comments, some of them makes sense but a majority of them doesn't. This is a place where we talk with data, facts and with common sense, not with your dumbass brain.

"Why has been hindus colonised for 1000 years" has zero connection with what we are talking here now. If you have nothing to talk to, just stfu.

 

[Frank]

because there was no unity among hindus.

there is no unity among hindus today also... only care about caste or freebies..