Unrest in Libya and the Middle East Is Costing the Russian Arms Industry

NY Slimes ^ | Friday, March 4, 2011 | Andrew E. Kramer

[SunkenCiv]

Russia will lose $4 billion because of the unrest in Libya and the subsequent United Nations embargo, Sergei V. Chemezov, the director of the Russian state company in charge of weapons exports, said on Friday. Over all, unrest in the Middle East has toppled or threatens to topple several governments that are longtime customers of Russian military industries, Mr. Chemezov said, and the total losses could reach $10 billion... photographs showing rebels carrying looted, shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles that look like they are from the former Eastern bloc. If they were to fall into the hands of terrorists on the black market, these missiles could pose a danger to civilian airliners... Chemezov said... "There is always Latin America".

[SunkenCiv]

The enemy of your enemy? Still your enemy.

[GAB-1955]

However, if there is going to be a civil war in Libya, the rebel side is going to need weapons as well. They aren't likely to dump RPGs and SAMs on the market if they need them.

That doesn't mean material isn't going to leak...

[Ophiucus]

When have the Russians ever paid attention to an embargo?

[mvonfr]

And how many billions will the Russians make due to higher oil prices?

(NY Times seems to be going downhill and accelerating...)

[Venturer]

I would say the possibility that RPG’s and shoulder fired anti-aircraft rockets is going to end up in the wrong hands is exceptionaly good.

Russia doesn’t give a damn about that as long as the check is in the mail.

[mewykwistmas]

True, but the realy money is in fancy weapons that take years to make and train for, not AK47 or RPGs

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo