Russian Federation with its military-industrial complex is the world’s second largest supplier having a $49 billion order book. The cooperation with other countries in defense support is the backbone of the Russian economy. The United States accounts for 29% of the global arms market, Russia occupies 27%, Germany earned bronze with 7% of it, while China and France run 6% and 5% of the market respectively. “In 2013, the export of Russia’s products and services in the field of defense-related technologies grew 3% and exceeded $15.7 billion, which is more than in 2012,” President Putin noted at the meeting of the Commission for Military Technical Cooperation.
Last year, long-term agreements worth $18 billion were signed, Vladimir Putin added. The president determined the main goals of the Russian defense industry, including the modernization of technical base and new technologies implementation. The Russian air defense systems, which are in use in over 70 countries, were also on the agenda.
“Russia and Belarus integrated into the joint air defense system in 2012, while Russia and Kazakhstan stoke the corresponding agreement last year. Russian air-defense equipment is in high demand in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Asia. There is growing interest in Latin America as well,” Russian president stated. According to him, curtailing the military cooperation with Russia, the new Kiev government might destroy the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. “We all know what consequences might ensue in case Kiev takes such a decision. The whole industry with employees and their families will be derailed as there are bleak prospects of plants’ development and their capability of paying wages,” Vladimir Putin concluded.