Having Lost 47 % of Its Arms Exports, moscow Is Trying to Persuade Latin American Countries that Its Military-Industrial Complex Is Attractive

The kremlin is looking for opportunities to produce russian weapons in Latin America. The rf believes that creating defense enterprises in other countries will allow it to circumvent sanctions restrictions and will provide its military-industrial complex with the necessary components and equipment.

In particular, russia took part in the international exhibition of aviation and defense systems “LAAD 2025” held in Brazil. Representatives of the rf stated that they had allegedly held talks with delegations from countries that have “friendly relations with moscow” on the possibility of joint production of weapons with partial localization in partner countries.

The russian side offers all those who still want to do business with it to produce export versions of air defense systems (S-400 Triumph, S-350E Vityaz, Tor-M2K, Igla-S MANPADS), combat helicopters (including Ka-226T), Su-57E fighters, cruise missiles (Kh-69, Kh-35UE, Kh-38MLE), and Orlan and Orion UAVs. Latin America is also offered “Kub” guided barrage munitions and electronic warfare systems.

In addition, moscow wants to create a joint venture in Brazil to produce and maintain helicopters of the “Mi” series. Between 2008 and 2014, russia supplied Brazil with 12 Mi-35M3s worth about USD 150 million. The total value of the contract is about 150 million US dollars. In 2022, these helicopters were decommissioned due to maintenance problems caused by the russians.

According to the rf, the experience gained during the russian-Ukrainian war “increased the attractiveness of the russian military-industrial complex in the foreign market”. The attractiveness has increased to such an extent that russian arms exports in 2024 decreased by 47 % compared to 2022. In general, over the past five years, russian arms exports have fallen by 64 %, and russia’s share of the global arms market has fallen to 7.8 %. While in 2018-2022, russia’s supplies went to 47 countries, in 2024 they went to 33. Asia and Oceania accounted for 74 % of russian exports, Africa – for 12 %, and Europe – for 7.4 %.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the kremlin will continue to promote the thesis that russian weapons are “attractive” and will try to conclude agreements to maintain its presence on international arms markets in the face of sanctions isolation.