ARMS EXPORTS

Arms exports: translation

   The Russian Federation is the world’s secondlargest exporter of arms, selling to nearly 100 countries worldwide. In 2009, the country sold approximately $8 billion in military hardware and other weapons. Combat aircraft account for one-half of all sales. In recent years, sales to the Middle East and Latin America have grown rapidly. Arms sales to Syria and Iran have often created problems in Russia-United States relations. Russia has developed a special relationship with China and India for arms development. Established by Russian Presidential Decree No. 1834 on 4 November 2000, the national arms export agency is Rosoboronexport State Corporation; Russia’s arms export monopoly was formerly known as Rosvooruzheniye. The AK-47, manufactured at the Izhevsk Mechanical Works in Udmurtiya, remains one of the most popular assault rifles in the world.

   See also Foreign trade.