BOFIT Weekly Review 2015/30
Exports of Russian military technology hold steady
Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) reports the value of military technology exports last year amounted to $15.5 billion, about the same as in the previous two years. The export order book also remained at the $50 billion level as in previous years.
The FSMTC reports that nearly half of Russia’s exports of military technology consisted of aerospace technology, while about a quarter was made up of technology for use by ground forces. Russia’s Federal Customs Service reports that $4.8 billion in weapons and ammunition was exported last year. Russia’s largest export markets for military technology are in Asia (e.g. India and Vietnam).
Russia’s total goods exports amounted to about $500 billion last year, of which military technology represented 3 % (or about 9 % of exports other than oil and gas). The share of military technology exports has remained roughly stable in recent years.
The industry and trade ministry says Russia’s defence sector generates some 4 % of GDP and employs over 2 million people.
Exports of Russian military technology (USD billion); share of total goods exports (%)
Sources: FSMTC and Central Bank of Russia