Pure Speculation on the Ukrainian Arms Sale

Montrose Toast ^ | 22 December 2009 | DJ Elliott

[DJ Elliott]

As the title states, this is heavy on speculation. I put on the blindfold, spun around until dizzy, and then threw a dart at a spinning dart-board. Not really but, not having firm data, I did some guessing.

The recently announced 2.5 billion dollar sale of Ukrainian arms to Iraq only accounts for 550 million dollars of the sale. A review of Ukrainian weapons production limits the likely exports planned for the remaining 1.95 billion dollars.

The Ukraine primarily builds and refurbishes transport aircraft, wheeled armored personnel carriers, and tanks. The initial orders are for 10 AN-32 transport aircraft and 420 BTR-4 armored personnel carriers plus refurbishment of 2 Mi-8 transport helicopters. That leaves tanks and refurbishing existing Iraqi armor as the most likely probabilities for the remaining orders.

Tanks are the symbol of army power in the middle-east. Only in western nations is appeasement and intentional weakness considered as anything other than weakness and an invitation to invasion.

[DJ Elliott]

As I have said before, the Ukraine was a coalition member from the invasion until the end of the UN Mandate last year. So lose the "ungratefull Iraqi" attitude in the comments.