Dmitry Shugaev, director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS), said in an interview with RT that Russia has adapted to the Western sanctions regime in the global arms market. According to him, the portfolio of orders for the supply of domestic weapons in 2019 reached $ 55 billion, and the annual sales volume of Russian military products abroad is $ 15 billion.

“Our portfolio of orders, which is equal to $ 55 billion, proves once again that we are well opposed to sanctions and have adapted to these conditions. We have found ways to interact with partners. And we are grateful to countries that do not give in to pressure, ”said Shugaev.

As noted by the head of the FSMTC, Western states practice a variety of methods of unfair competition and try to squeeze Russia out of the usual arms markets. The United States and the European Union also obstruct the development of military-technical cooperation between Moscow and countries that had not previously concluded major contracts for the supply of Russian military products.

“We hold the second place in the arms market and are not going to give it to anyone. Russia executes all contracts on time. Russia is known as a serious supplier who can offer high-quality, field-proven equipment at a normal market price, ”said Shugaev.

  • Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugaev
  • RIA News
  • © Sergey Mamontov

In 2014, NATO member countries broke contacts with Moscow through military-technical cooperation. Now the block members should not purchase military products from Russia, with the exception of spare parts. They are also prohibited from supplying any types of weapons to the Russian Federation. In 2015, restrictive measures led to the cancellation of the Russian-French deal on two Mistral-class universal landing ships.

In the United States, several rules have been adopted prohibiting lending, investing and having any business relations with leading Russian defense industry enterprises (MIC).

In August 2017, the United States passed the Law on Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions (CAATSA). This document allows Washington to introduce restrictive measures against foreign states that invest in the Russian defense industry and conclude major arms contracts with Moscow.

CAATSA sanctions are currently against China. The United States has also repeatedly threatened to apply restrictive measures against Turkey and India. However, Washington’s attempts to influence the position of all three states were unsuccessful.

In a conversation with RT, a military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin, stated that Western sanctions did not adversely affect Moscow’s military-technical cooperation with foreign partners. According to him, Russia has maintained its position in countries that are considered traditional partners - China, India, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Vietnam, and has also significantly expanded its military-technical cooperation with Turkey.

“Buying weapons from any country is, by and large, always a political choice. Therefore, states that were not in the orbit of Washington’s influence continued to buy domestic weapons. Of course, sanctions did not become good for Russia. For example, they make it difficult to conclude large contracts in dollars. But a solution was also found here - Moscow began the transition to settlements with partners in national currencies, ”Litovkin explained.

“One of the best systems in the world”

Dmitry Shugaev paid particular attention to the export potential of the S-400 Triumph long-range anti-aircraft missile system. Russia has concluded contracts for the sale of an air defense system with China, Turkey and India. The total value of transactions with these three states exceeds $ 10 billion.

Moscow is currently fulfilling its obligations to supply S-400 to Ankara. Shugaev said that now the Turkish troops who will operate the Triumph are being trained in the Russian Federation. The FSVTS Director admitted the possibility of joint production of air defense systems, but noted that this issue is not yet on the agenda.

“The Turkish partners understand that they bought one of the best systems in the world. Suffice it to say that it has such unique qualities as the defeat of all air targets without exception. Aerodynamic targets - up to 400 km, ballistic - up to 60 km. The Russian system can even shoot down targets that are five meters from the ground, and hit targets with stealth coverage, ”said Shugaev.

The head of the FSVTS also referred to the advantages of S-400 as all-weather and the ability to work in any climatic conditions. According to him, Triumph can quickly be deployed on terrain with complex terrain. The unsurpassedness of the domestic air defense system is openly recognized, including by Western experts, emphasized Shugaev.

  • Unloading of S-400 air defense systems near Ankara
  • Reuters
  • © Turkish Military / Turkish Defense Ministry

At the same time, the head of the FSVTS did not name the countries applying for the purchase of the S-400. But reports have repeatedly appeared in foreign media that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Iraq and Morocco are interested in acquiring Triumph.

In an interview with RT, the director of the Air Defense Forces Museum, military expert Yuri Knutov said that the domestic complex surpasses all foreign analogues, including the American Patriot system, in terms of the main tactical and technical characteristics. The export potential of the S-400, as the analyst believes, is limited only by the production capacities of the Almaz-Antey concern.

“In my opinion, Triumph is necessary for all the large states that are building a layered air defense system. Thus, about a dozen states can be included in the list of potential buyers of our complex. It is possible that additional contracts for the supply of S-400 will be concluded with those countries that have already ordered our air defense systems, ”Knutov predicts.

Reliable partner

According to the FSMTC, about 40% of Russian arms exports are equipment for the needs of the Air Force and Air Defense. To date, the closest cooperation in this area is carried out with Ankara. Turkey is interested in the domestic 4 ++ Su-35 generation fighter and the latest Su-57 aircraft.

Shugaev said that Moscow will definitely study Ankara’s official application for the supply of fighters. In particular, the Russian Federation is ready to discuss a contract for the sale of Su-35. With a possible Russian-Turkish deal on the Su-57, the FSVTS director urged “not to rush,” recalling that Ankara is primarily interested in developing its fifth-generation TF-X aircraft project.

“Given that Turkey has its own fifth-generation aircraft project, various forms of cooperation are possible here. Moreover, Turkey seeks to develop its military industry, putting it on high-tech rails. Therefore, in cooperation with Turkey, you need to understand that our colleagues are unlikely to want to limit themselves to purchases alone, ”Shugaev explained.

The head of the FSMTC expects that, in general, the role of the Middle East market for Russia will increase. Now the portfolio of orders of the countries of the region for the export of domestic military products is $ 20 billion. In addition to Turkey, Moscow intends to expand military-technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.

Shugaev also expects an increase in demand for Russian weapons from states that "value their independence and highlight national interests." He emphasized that Russia acts strictly within the framework of international law and works under the MTC only with legitimate governments.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visiting a Russian Su-57 fighter
  • RIA News
  • © Alexey Nikolsky

In turn, Yuri Knutov noted that Moscow is a convenient partner for states that pursue a policy of diversification of arms imports. The most striking example here is India, which in its procurement policy maintains a balance between Russian and American weapons.

“For many states, military-technical cooperation with Russia is an alternative that does not allow it to become dependent primarily on the United States, a leader in arms exports. In addition, our country, unlike the Americans, never puts forward political demands to partners. Russia conducts a clean and transparent business, ”concluded Knutov.