Russia Overtakes US in Selling Arms to Developing Countries
An annual study for the US Congress finds that in 2005 Russia, for the first time, sold more arms to the developing world than the United States did, UPI said.
Russia’s sales included eight new aerial refueling tankers to China and surface to air missiles to Iran, The New York Times reported. Both deals make the U.S. government nervous because of the possibility of a crisis with China over Taiwan and with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
The report, “Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations,” found that Russia’s arms agreements with developing countries came to $7 billion, up from $5.4 billion in 2004. France was second with agreements totaling $6.3 million and the United States just behind at $6.2 billion.
India was the largest buyer among developing countries. Russia’s largest customers were India and China.
The United States continued to rank first in total arms sales, followed by France and Russia.
Russia’s sales included eight new aerial refueling tankers to China and surface to air missiles to Iran, The New York Times reported. Both deals make the U.S. government nervous because of the possibility of a crisis with China over Taiwan and with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
The report, “Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations,” found that Russia’s arms agreements with developing countries came to $7 billion, up from $5.4 billion in 2004. France was second with agreements totaling $6.3 million and the United States just behind at $6.2 billion.
India was the largest buyer among developing countries. Russia’s largest customers were India and China.
The United States continued to rank first in total arms sales, followed by France and Russia.
posted by Marko at 10/30/2006 08:32:00 AM
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