Posted on 08/28/2002 3:09:19 PM PDT by It'salmosttolate
N Korea in talks with Russia over buying arms
Russian and North Korean experts have held talks which could lead to a boost in Russian arms sales to Pyongyang.
ITAR-TASS news agency quoted the unidentified official of the Russian Committee for Technical Military Cooperation as saying North Korea was in no position to buy large quantities of modern weapons.
But it would have to update its out of date equipment, he said. Russia would be in an advantageous position because North Korean weapons were largely of Soviet origin.
Russian specialists say the North Korean air force is most in need of updating.
It has 500 aircraft but only 30 Mig 29 fighters and 35 SU-25 fighters can be classed as being up to date.
Over half the air force is grounded and needs repair amd modernisation. North Korea might with time buy aircraft, armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft missiles, ships and submarines, the official said.
Russian-Korean cooperation is an irritant to Washington. US President George W. Bush labelled North Korea as being part of an "axis of evil" earlier this year but since then Russia has worked to strengthen its influence in the country.
North Korean leader Kin Jong Il met Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in his second visit to Russia in two years
Now they are apart of the "axis of the not so good"?
The principal reason why Russia wants to sell its arms to N. Korea is that Russia wants to secure railroad transportation coming out of S. Korea. Russia is competing against China for this link. N. Korea will support Russia if Russia provides what they wants, that is, new Russian arms to N. Korea.
But, this project will cost much more than the one going through the Western N. Korea onto China to Mongolia to Russia. It will also take about 9-10 years to complete all missing railroad gaps in this Eastern N. Korea line onto Russia. On the other hand, there is only one foreign country to deal with, Russia. Less trouble that way.
It is aggravating to watch the completely bankrupt totalitarian regime playing games to secure more war toys they do not really need at this time. Their regime above everything else.
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