The Russian military are looking for ways to sell their products to their immediate neighbours

Published: 9/1/1999

General Anatoly Kornukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, has announced that Moscow is now prepared to provide anti-aircraft systems and fighters to CIS countries on a "long-term lease" basis. He said that talks are already under way with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, among others. Given the comments of Deputy Prime Minister Klebanov at MAKS-99 regarding the upgrading of Russian fighters for sale to foreign governments (www.concise.org 26th August 1999), it seems that the Russian Air Force is moving into full marketing mode in an effort to earn money for new equipment. Given that the most immediate airborne threat for Georgia, appears to be Russian incursions into its airspace, which we have seen a number of incidents of over the last two months, it seems strange that they are on the list. One suspects however, that the Russians are getting nervous about the low level of military aid currently being offered from the West may grow into something more substantial.

Article ID: 812