FAS shows that South Korea makes their own Type 88 K1. I wonder why they're buying T-80's from Russia. I wonder what % of Russia's GDP is from weapon sales.
Type 88 K1!
Posted on 03/05/2005 12:03:21 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
S.Korea military may train in Russia
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea could hold large-scale artillery training in the Russian Far East because of lack of space at home, a newspaper has reported, a move that may upset North Korea and China.
The commander of South Korea's First Army Corps raised the possibility of renting land for training during a recent visit to Russia's Khabarovsk region, the JoongAng Ilbo reported on Saturday, citing an unnamed Defence Ministry official.
Training facilities in South Korea are considered too small for large-scale troop exercises involving tanks and artillery. If an agreement were reached, it would be the first time the South Korean army had rented overseas training grounds, the daily said.
The transportation of troops and arms for such training might well upset North Korea and China, however, the paper quoted other anonymous officials as saying.
Russia, South Korea and China are among regional powers working to coax North Korea back to six-party negotiations to end its nuclear ambitions.
Communist North Korea said publicly for the first time on February 10 it had nuclear weapons and was indefinitely suspending participation in the disarmament talks, which also involve the United States and Japan.
Malaysia to Replace U.S.-Made Aircraft With Russian Su-30 Jet Fighters
The armed forces of Malaysia has announced that it is to replace seven of their 14 U.S.-made F-5E fighter aircraft with Russian Su-30MKM multifunctional jet fighters.
The news was announced on Friday, March 4, by the deputy defense minister of Malaysia, who was quoted by Russia’s RIA Novosti as saying that the U.S.-made war planes were outdated. “They are more than 20 years old. We had two choices — to modernize them or to replace them. We chose to make a replacement with the Russian technology,” the Malaysian official said.
As a result of this deal Malaysia will become the world’s third largest importer of Russian war jets, following China and India. Altogether Russia will supply the Southeast Asian country with 18 Su-30MKM jet fighters over a period of four years. The deal will bring Russia more than $900 million.
http://www.mosnews.com/money/2005/03/04/malaysiajets.shtml
ping!!!!!!
bump
S. Korea bought T-80's as a way of paying off Russian debt to S. Korea.
Beyond a status symbol is there a real need to spend 4% of the annual budget on a handful of aircraft?
Are you talking about Malaysia buying the SU-30 & showing interest in the F/A-18 E/F???Well their economy is amongst the strongest in that corner of the world & the least affected by the meltdown of 97(which explains their ability to splurge money like this).Moreover,they are located in a very strategic part of the world,where folks like the US,China & India all have pretty vital interests.A sizable military won't be so bad afterall-Malaysia is buying weaponry from the US,Germany,France,Britain,Russia,Poland & are reportedly interested in a joint Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile!!!!
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