The export of Ukrainian weapons and the reasons for its sharp decline

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The Stockholm World Research Institute has published a ranking of the largest exporters. weapons in the world. According to him, Ukraine is no longer among the top ten merchants. The report lists the main global arms exports for the period 2014-2018. Such reports are of great interest to specialists who are engaged in issues of control over disarmament and armaments.

The export of Ukrainian weapons and the reasons for its sharp decline




According to the report, the United States of America became the leader of the rating, having increased the volume of arms supplies by 6 percent due to the hostilities in the Middle East (the US share was 36%). In second place was Russia, whose share of the global market is 21%. This figure fell by 6 percent compared to the previous one due to reduced cooperation with Venezuela and India. France closes the top three (about 7 percent of the market). The ten largest exporters of weapons also include China, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, the Netherlands and Italy. The largest increase in sales volume can boast of Israel, whose sales rose 60 percent compared to the previous five years.

As for Ukraine, it is currently in 12-th place. The share of Ukrainian exports declined from 2,8 percent to 1,3%, and volumes - by 47%.

Ukrainian export structure


It should be noted that there was a period of time when Ukraine was one of the five largest exporters of weapons. This is evidenced by the data of the State Export Control Service. In particular, for the period 2007-2013. Ukrainian state exported 957 armored vehicles abroad, 676 tanks, 288 units of rocket and barrel artillery (caliber more than 100 millimeters), as well as 31 helicopters (most of them are Mi-24), more than 160 combat aircraft and even one combat ship. In addition, 747 missiles and launchers were sold. The lion's share of all this weaponry is Soviet-made.

Deliveries were made to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Thailand and Iraq. It is noteworthy that military equipment, already created in the period of independence, was exported to Thailand and Iraq (we are talking about Oplot and BTR-3 and BTR-4 tanks). In addition, 2007 X-100 aircraft were delivered to Russia in 59 year.

If we talk about the last five years, then in this period, as already noted, export volumes have declined. At this time, the 94 tank was sold, around 200 armored combat vehicles, about 2 dozens of large-caliber artillery units, 13 helicopters, 6 airplanes and one combat ship. In addition, 63 missiles and launchers were sold.

Since the beginning of the armed conflict in the Donbas, Ukraine continued to supply military equipment abroad, but, according to experts, the country fulfilled its pre-war commitments. So, in particular, in 2014-2015. 23 tank T-72 and 12 howitzers D-30 were sold to Nigeria. In 2016, the United Arab Emirates received more than 100 armored BRDM-2 vehicles, 25 T64BV-1 tanks were delivered to Congo, 34 BTR-3 tanks were sent to Thailand, 5 BTR-4 armored personnel carriers were sent to Indonesia.

In addition, Ukraine during this period even exported Aviation. So, in 2014, one MiG-29 was sold to Chad, and 5 MiG-21 aircraft to Croatia. 6 Mi-8s were delivered to neighboring Belarus. The following year, 5 Mi-24 helicopters were sent to South Sudan. Since then, according to the State Export Control Service, Ukraine has not sold aviation. All supply contracts were concluded before the outbreak of the armed conflict, no new agreements were signed, and all equipment went to the troops.

Deliveries of Ukrainian products to Russia


However, there are some discrepancies between the data of the State Service for Export Control and the Stockholm Institute. So, in particular, according to SIPRI, in 2014-2018. Ukraine traded with Russia. Only in 2016, the export of Ukrainian military equipment to Russia was estimated at 169 million dollars, which is even more than during the presidency of V. Yanukovych. The Ukrainian side was engaged in the supply of AI-222 turbojet engines intended for the Russian Yak-130 combat training aircraft. Representatives of Ukroboronprom emphasize that the contract for deliveries was signed back in 2006, and deliveries were stopped after the ban on the export of military equipment to Russia was entered, and the Russian side could manufacture such engines independently.

In addition to engines, according to the institute, Ukraine also delivered An-148-100 and An-140-100 aircraft, but deliveries allegedly stopped in the 2014 year, and then Russia produced them independently under the license granted by the Antonov enterprise. According to the Ukrainian side, it was the presence of a legal contract that caused SIPRI to consider airplanes as part of Ukrainian exports.

Also among the products that were supplied to Russia, the institute also calls the ship-mounted gas turbine units DS-71, which equip the Russian frigates of the 11356 project. For this position, it should be noted that experts of the Stockholm Institute determine the date of delivery of power plants and engines after the manufacture of a particular equipment and their transfer to the Russian army, and not the present moment of delivery of individual parts and components. Therefore, according to Ukroboronprom, deliveries were made before 2014, despite the fact that they are reflected in the report in a later period.

The main reasons for Ukraine’s decline in arms exports


Many experts agree that Ukraine has reduced arms exports in connection with the war in the Donbas. However, in addition to the war, there are many other factors. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine received large stocks of weapons and military equipment. During the period of independence, almost all of these reserves have been exhausted. The export potential of Ukraine remained high largely due to Soviet reserves. Ukraine sold outdated T-80 and T-72 tanks to Africa, where they are now actively used.

At the same time, Ukraine produces not so much new military equipment to remain among the largest suppliers of weapons. And if in the 2013 year, Ukraine occupied the 8 place in the world ranking, then already in 2018 it was already on 12, reducing export volumes by almost half.

Undoubtedly, the main reason for the decline in exports is the armed conflict in the south-east of the country. The priority of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex is to provide its own army, and the entire potential of the military industry has been mobilized to solve internal problems. It takes a lot of time to develop and search for spare parts and components to replace Russian analogues.

In 2014, Ukraine continued to fulfill the pre-war contracts, however, it practically did not sign new ones, since practically all new equipment went to the needs of the Ukrainian army. Moreover, until these needs are fully satisfied, the defense industry has no right to sell equipment abroad.

It is also important that until recently Russia was an active partner of Ukraine. Exports of weapons and equipment ceased with the onset of events in the Donbas, and Ukraine lost most of its exports. All joint programs in the military industry were also stopped.

Another reason for the decline in exports of weapons and military equipment is the poor reputation of Ukrainian suppliers, the reliability of which leaves much to be desired. In particular, we are talking about the so-called “Iraqi contract”. The Ukrainian side has pledged to deliver over 4 hundreds of BTR-4 to Iraq. The contract amount was estimated at 2,4 billion dollars. But from the 88 machines that were delivered, only the 34 BTR were serviceable. In addition, defects were found in the cases of equipment and equipment. All responsibility for the breakdown of the agreement was passed on to officials of the times of Yanukovich, but the reputation of the Ukrainian defense industry complex was stained.

Another contract that was in jeopardy was the supply of tanks to Thailand. Despite the fact that the contract was signed in 2001, it was only possible to complete it in 2018.

However, according to some analysts, not everything is so bad, and the Ukrainian “defense” has good prospects. So, according to experts, the future of the Ukrainian defense industry depends largely on foreign investors. Despite the armed conflict in the Donbas, they are very willing to allocate money for new developments. In particular, we are talking about Saudi Arabia, for the money of which the Thunder-2 operational tactical complex was developed.

Since 2015, the Kharkov Institute of Electromagnetic Research has been developing high-frequency weapons that can destroy optical equipment and electronics.

There are also new contracts - for example, the delivery to Turkey of a batch of 120-millimeter barrel-guided tank missiles "Cone". Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan buy Ukrainian anti-tank missile systems "Corsair" and "Stugna."

In addition, Asian countries are promising for the Ukrainian side. In these countries there is a fairly large number of Soviet-made equipment. Almost all of it needs modernization. And for this you need constructors, which are only in Russia and Ukraine.

The plans of the Ukrainian defense industry to complete the plant for the production of the BTR-4 and self-propelled artillery systems. Representatives of Spetstekhnoexport announced signing contracts with 30-st countries, including China, Algeria, India, Equatorial Guinea and Myanmar. We are mainly talking about the modernization of the Soviet aircraft and armored vehicles, air defense systems.

If we talk about cooperation with European countries, its share in Ukrainian exports is only a few percent. In particular, Ukraine cooperates with Poland. In 2016, a dozen P-4 guided missiles were delivered there. This kind of missiles are available only in Ukraine and Russia. The Polish side believes that it is profitable for it to work with the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex, therefore several joint development of ammunition and radar equipment is underway.

The Ukrainian market of military exports is estimated by experts at about 1-2 billion dollars. About half is the share of private companies that are ready to produce more, but they are hampered by the corruption of government officials. The state maintains a monopoly on arms exports, so private companies cannot independently, without the mediation of officials, find markets for themselves, negotiate and set prices.

Thus, at first glance, there are certain prospects for the development of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. But they will remain unfulfilled if corruption continues to flourish in the country.
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22 comments
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  1. +6
    30 July 2019 05: 49
    According to him, Ukraine is no longer among the top ten traders.
    Having deprived of communications and orders from Russia, as well as curtailing cooperation in this area, she simply took her true place on this list
    1. +3
      30 July 2019 20: 34
      Yes, and the reserves of Soviet technology for the modernization and sale of value is not infinite
  2. +1
    30 July 2019 05: 54
    Corruption in general must be fought cruelly. And yet what potential the USSR has invested in Ukraine.
    1. +4
      30 July 2019 07: 06
      Quote: ssergey1978
      And yet what potential the USSR has invested in Ukraine.

      Until now, to plunder and destroy until the end can not
    2. 0
      8 August 2019 02: 00
      Can you imagine WHAT potential the USSR invested in the Russian Federation?
  3. +3
    30 July 2019 06: 07
    I am not more interested in Ukraine, but our country, why exports of one of the most important sectors of the economy for us are falling, the author summing up hints at corruption, maybe we have problems because of this, that exports are not growing which year but globally falling?
    1. +6
      30 July 2019 11: 39
      First, arms exports are always politics. States impose weapons primarily on NATO countries, vassals and monarchies of the Persian Gulf. These are the richest countries in the main and we can sell our weapons there only with a scandal, having quarreled with the states. An example is Turkey. request
      Secondly, our main customers are just a few countries. These are India, Algeria, Vietnam, partly China, but he himself is the largest exporter. Plus, sales went to Iraq and Egypt, which began to purchase our weapons, although they used to buy NATO. Everything else is irregular orders. By the way, in Algeria there has been a change of power and whether purchases will continue - xs. request
      Thirdly, ours do not give real numbers of arms exports to international organizations, because here a lot may not be calculated. For example, after our T90s showed excellent performance in Syria, they were purchased by Algeria, Vietnam and Iraq. Plus, India has signed a contract to upgrade its T90. But part of these contracts was not announced for a long time. Plus, some contracts were not disclosed. Of course, the real amount of contracts is not clear.
      And finally, all serious independent countries are trying to develop their VPK and refuse to import. That is, one must be prepared for the fact that the international arms market will shrink. request
      Well, Ukrainians certainly amaze me. Sell ​​working equipment and weapons and beg for Western scraps - this is 5 points. To sell 80 tanks, having lost 300-400 tanks in the battles in the area destroyed and captured, is a rare strategic talent. I hope that they will sell everything that at least somehow can be used in the database and go to NATO scraps completely, ceasing to be military force.
      1. -6
        30 July 2019 15: 52
        "300-400 tanks destroyed and captured" - did Solovyov tell you or Skobeeva?
        1. +3
          30 July 2019 17: 13
          Quote: morgan
          "300-400 tanks destroyed and captured" - did Solovyov tell you or Skobeeva?

          As I understand it, yours will rub.
          Losses of punishers from January 12 to February 22, 2015 - 11370 killed and wounded (4340 killed) and 1238 prisoners.
          5. Destruction of punitive equipment from January 12 to February 22, 2015
          - 307 tanks (35 of them captured whole in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 38 self-propelled guns (13 of them captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 4 2С7 "PION" (3 of them captured)
          - 3 self-propelled guns "ACACIA"
          - 3 self-propelled guns “Carnation”
          - 152 infantry fighting vehicles (33 of them were captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 126 armored personnel carriers (40 of them were captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 24 MLRS "Grad" (15 of them captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 1 MLRS "Smerch"
          - 206 art. guns (howitzers D-30, etc.)
          - 51 120-mm mortar (15 of them captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          - 17 ZSU-23-2 (captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler and taken into service)
          - 6 MT-LB
          - 2 BRDM
          - 4 BMD
          - 307 vehicles (155 of them were captured in the Debaltsevsky boiler)
          6. Destruction of aircraft
          - 3 aircraft SU 25
          - 1 helicopter
          - 4 drones (UAVs)
          7. Destruction of missiles
          - 3 TOCHKA-U rockets

          http://krasvremya.ru/obshhie-poteri-karatelej-xunty-v-donbasse-so-2-maya-2014-po-22-fevralya-2015/
        2. +6
          30 July 2019 18: 49
          Lostarmore, actually. There, all losses and captured tanks and other armored vehicles are given only with video and photo certificates. But of course you can assume that all the photos and videos were shot on Mosfilm. wink
          By the way, your former commander-in-chief, Piglet Petya, I recall saying that 65% of equipment was lost in the 14th year. But what can he know then, right? laughing
          But you are still more careful with "no losses". Then one lover of this in Kiev shot himself in the head, as they say. Even the helmet didn't help. What if it's contagious? belay
      2. 0
        31 July 2019 11: 45
        Well, they primarily sell what they do not have and is more difficult to repair. Many loans are given to them purely for the purchase of weapons. By this will not of a will.
        I am saddened how many generations later they will give these loans.
  4. +5
    30 July 2019 06: 42
    For some reason, the Soviet legacy was sold and the new in the trees did not grow!? laughing
    1. +1
      30 July 2019 07: 08
      Quote: Sergey 777
      For some reason, the Soviet legacy was sold and the new in the trees did not grow!?

      Sold, plundered, destroyed.
      It reached insanity. Yesterday I read that the symbol of the 80 Olympiad in Moscow Mishka was demolished fool
      1. +2
        30 July 2019 08: 08
        Quote: Lipchanin
        symbol of the Olympics 80 in Moscow, the bear was demolished

        It was not "demolished", it is generally difficult to demolish an inflatable bear.
        His rats gobbled up.
        1. +3
          30 July 2019 09: 45
          Quote: Spade
          It was not "demolished", it is generally difficult to demolish an inflatable bear.

          Actually, I’m talking about Ukraine.
          a group of young people, and in the Ukrainian pogroms such radicals act only in a crowd, with hammers and legs smashed a cute and touching monument to Mishka, the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. These scumbags explained their act by the struggle against the "Muscovites" and decommunization.

          https://rg.ru/2016/06/01/v-kieve-unichtozhili-pamiatnik-olimpijskomu-mishke.html
          1. 0
            31 July 2019 02: 49
            It's great and heroic to ruin Mishka ... ruin it, and feel like a real "hero". and even more so a horde of the same thugs. These wretched people would try to attack a real Russian bear.
    2. 0
      31 July 2019 02: 50
      Absurdistan is waiting for the harvest from the field of Miracles!
  5. +1
    30 July 2019 08: 02
    From the list of sold equipment samples from 404, for some reason, the eye was cut to 100 brdm2-barmaley, the Saudis bought, because other samples will be newer (Africa does not count).
    1. 0
      31 July 2019 11: 48
      Do the Saudis buy everything old?
  6. 0
    30 July 2019 09: 48
    I feel that Russia began selling vintage Papuans in the year 14, so there is no place left on the market.
  7. 0
    31 July 2019 02: 47
    All Soviet stocks will be sold and plundered and rolled even lower, which is worth congratulating them with all their hearts.
  8. 0
    19 August 2019 15: 00
    In addition, Asian countries are promising for the Ukrainian side. In these countries there is a fairly large number of Soviet-made equipment. Almost all of it needs modernization. And for this you need constructors, which are only in Russia and Ukraine.


    We must not forget that Belarus since the times of the USSR has always been a scientific center and after the collapse, the potential has remained very large [this is all to the question that there are specialists only in Russia and Ukraine]. In addition, the countries of Asia, which have a fairly large number of Soviet-made equipment, are a good prospect, but there are also not a few who wish, are able and able to make modernization, and not a few of them, please note, not only in Ukraine.

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