BUB: Arms Merchants Around the World

The Turkish Navy is is picking up a large landing ship capable of power projection.

The Turkish Navy is preparing to buy its first landing-platform dock able to carry up to eight helicopters as it seeks to gain the capability for overseas amphibious force deployment as part of NATO and peacekeeping efforts.

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The Brits are upgrading more Lynx helicopters.

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a £42 million contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence for the upgrade of 10 more British Army Lynx Mk.9 helicopters with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines.

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A big naval show in Qatar is showing off warships from several countries, including the US.

At least 15 warships will be on view at Doha Port in the next three days as part of the second Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) starting this morning.
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The biggest ship on view at Doha Port will be US Navy’s 208m-plus long Mesa Verde. Equally imposing will be Royal UK Navy’s
RFA Lyme Bay, which is 190m.
Turkey’s TCG Gemlk (139m), US Navy’s HMS St Alabans (133m), India’s INS Betwa (126m), French Navy’s FN Guepratte (125m) and Australia’s HMAS Stuart (118m) will be the other main attractions.

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A UK contractor has laid out their concerns for the UK defence industry.

In the manifesto A|D|S sets out is case that in recent years the defence industry has provided over £4bn worth of equipment to the front line extremely rapidly through Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). It says that these can go from concept to reality in a matter of weeks, proving the industry is versatile and fleet-footed. The industry also works hand-in-hand with the UK Armed Forces from factory to frontline, for example over 4,000 industry personnel are currently working with our troops in Afghanistan.

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Are the Russians making a comeback in the world arms markets?

Russian arms exports were up only two percent last year, to $8.5 billion. However, Russia booked $15 billion worth of orders in 2009, and now has $40 billion worth of back orders. While sales to China are down, Russia has found new customers in South America (not just Venezuela). Vietnam, seeking an ally against ancient enemy China, has become a big customer for aircraft and warships. Sales are being made to the Middle East again, especially to North African countries. India, however, remains the major export customer.

Russia exported $8.35 billion in weapons in 2008, and $8 billion in 2007. In 2005, there were hopes that sales might reach $10 billion for 2008. The stall in Russian arms sales growth comes from problems with the two largest customers; China and India. Russian arms exports had been growing rapidly for a while. In 2005 Russian arms exporters had already booked orders for six billion dollars worth of sales per year through 2008. In 2004, Russian arms sales were $5.6 billion, and that went to $6 billion in 2005 and $7 billion in 2006. Russian arms sales were only $4.3 billion in 2003, and ballooned as the economies of their two biggest customers (India and China) grew larger. That, and the escalating price of oil (driven largely by increased demand from China and India), has sent international arms sales from $29 billion in 2003, to over $60 billion now. Oil rich countries, particularly those in the Persian Gulf, as eager to buy more weapons, with which to defend their assets.

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By: Brant