In recent years, specifically across 2022 and 2023, the producer of the Russian Su-30 fighter has repurchased nearly $500 million worth of its own equipment, originally sold to its foreign partners, as reported by the Russian news source Moscow Times on May 7, referencing data obtained from customs.
This repurchasing trend indicates that the Russian defense industry is gradually refocusing from its export market to serving its internal military requirements, driven by the intensifying demands of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The corporation, previously known as Irkut and rebranded as Yakovlev Corporation in 2023, is also responsible for manufacturing the Yak-130 trainer aircraft and various civil airplanes. Among its military portfolio, the Su-30 fighter jet is notably being utilized by Russian forces in combat operations in Ukraine.
According to the Oryx monitoring service, throughout the duration of the full-scale conflict with Ukraine, Russia has undergone the loss of 11 Su-30 planes.
As detailed by The Moscow Times, the retrieval of equipment from overseas by the defense producer started even before the invasion in 2021 had fully commenced.
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Throughout 2021, imports surged to a high of $581 million, which was succeeded by transactions amounting to $322.3 million in 2022 and $95.1 million in 2023, culminating in nearly a combined amount of $1 trillion, according to the publication.
The repurchased items primarily consist of components critical to the production of military aircraft, such as radar systems and programmable logic controllers.
Military analyst David Sharp highlighted to The Moscow Times that the Russian military-industrial complex has the ability to construct aircraft such as the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35, albeit at a sluggish rate. Sharp pointed out that the manufacturing process is not only costly and slow, but also prone to being hindered by shortages in essential components.
Sanctions levied by Western nations aim to disrupt the supply chains to the Russian defense sector.
Besides Yakovlev Corporation, other defense firms such as NPO Mashinostroyeniya and NPP Automated Measuring Complexes have also engaged in repurchasing their own equipment, with the collective value of these transactions surpassing $1 billion since 2021, as informed by The Moscow Times.
New findings by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in March indicated that exports of Russian arms had plummeted by 53% between the periods of 2014-2018 and 2019-2023.
Further accentuating the decline in Russian armaments, export volumes in 2023 were reported to be 52% less than the preceding year, a downturn attributed by the U.K. Defense Ministry to Russia’s prioritization of its battlefield demands and waning customer interest due to the risks of sanctions.
FAQ Section
Q: Who repurchased $500 million worth of equipment?
A: The Russian producer of the Su-30 fighter jet has repurchased this equipment.
Q: What is the Su-30?
A: The Su-30 is a multirole fighter jet actively used by Russian forces.
Q: Why is the equipment being repurchased?
A: The repurchase reflects a shift in Russia’s defense industry focus from exports to meeting domestic military demands.
Q: What do the repurchased components include?
A: They primarily include radar equipment and programmable controllers for military aircraft production.
Q: Have Western sanctions affected Russian military exports?
A: Yes, Western sanctions aim to cut off supplies to the Russian defense industry and have led to a decline in Russian arms exports.
Conclusion
The strategic move by the Russian defense industry to repurchase its own equipment—nearly $500 million in value—signifies a tactical shift to prioritize internal military needs over export commitments, further highlighting the impact of international sanctions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on Russia’s arms sector. As these developments unfold, they are a stark reminder of the complex interplay between global politics, war, and the international arms market.
Note: The content of this article is restructured from existing sources and provided for informational purposes. The information presented does not claim originality, and the original source can be found at https://kyivindependent.com/media-russian-warplane-maker-buys-back-almost-500-million-of-its-equipment-from-abroad/ for reference.