Currently in many countries there is an unstable situation that concerns peace and tranquility. In particular, I mean such states as Israel, the United Arab Emirates and India. Problems with the situation in the country force them to intensively purchase various weapons. Fighters and combat aircraft are the most popular among importing countries. The volume of sales of this type of weapons accounts for about a third of the total volume of arms exports in the world. Even the high price of more than $ 40 million for a fighter jet does not deter these countries from buying. The largest countries supplying fighters are Russia and the United States. During the period from 2005 to 2009, the United States sold 331 aircraft, and Russia - 215 combat vehicles.
The Stogkolm Peace Research Institute monitored the state of the military equipment market. It became known that during 2005-2009, the share of the sale of fighters amounted to approximately 27% of the total sales of other types of weapons worldwide. And if we also count that, in addition to aircraft, the necessary weapons and equipment were also exported, such as war shells, missiles, engines, it turns out that the share of sales is more than 33% of all exports.
Despite sky-high prices, fighters are the most sought after type of weapon. Advanced models, built with the latest technology, go to customers for prices in excess of many millions of dollars. It is known that Thailand purchased six Swedish JAS-39 aircraft for which approximately $ 500 million was paid. For the same amount, Vietnam bought eight Su-30MKK aircraft from Russia. Pakistan paid $ 1.5 billion to America for 18 F-16C Block-50 combat fighters.
In general, the production and sale of aircraft abroad is quite a lucrative item in the state's revenues. Since after covering the costs of manufacturing fighters, there is still enough funds that can be spent on the development and development of modern combat aviation. But still, huge costs do not allow all countries to engage in the production of aircraft and the development of this industry. Only eight states, such as Russia, USA, France, India, China, Sweden, Japan and Great Britain, can afford this. There is also a joint production of military aviation devices by the countries of Germany, Italy, Spain and Great Britain.
But of all these countries, only Russia and the United States receive permanent orders. The rest are mainly engaged in production only to equip their army, orders for the export of fighters are very rarely received.
The United States produces as many aircraft for its military aviation as it sends for export, while Russia so far exports 10 times more fighters than it equips its Air Force. However, it is planned that soon Russia will devote more time to equipping its army with military equipment.
Despite the fact that India is also engaged in the production of combat aircraft, however, it is also the largest buyer of fighters: between 2005 and 2009, they purchased 115 units of this equipment. Israel bought 82 aircraft and the UAE 108. In general, 995 fighters were sold all over the world in less than five years. The main buyers of military equipment have become countries in which the tense international situation prevails.
Russia sells a large number of manufactured weapons, about 50% of exports are combat aircraft. Fighters of such brands as SU-30MK and MiG-29 are in the greatest demand. They are sent to China, India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Malaysia and other countries.
It has already been said above that India is the main importer of military equipment. Currently, Russia and Russia have signed contracts worth more than $ 10 billion. This includes a contract for the export of 140 units of SU-30MK combat fighters, as well as a contract for the repair and modernization of the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov. Then there is the transfer of the Nerpa nuclear submarine under a leasing contract to the Indian Navy, the construction of three frigates, the production of 1,000 heavy military equipment, the modernization of the 64 MiG-29 fighters already in existence, the supply of 80 Mi-1V helicopters and other smaller contracts.
The size of future transactions depends on the quality of these obligations. So at present, India is holding a tender for the delivery of 126 combat fighters. Russia has a good chance of winning this tender for the manufacture and export of aircraft. In particular, the MiG-39 is quite competitive in order to win the competition. This order could bring Russia an additional $ 10 billion. The results of the tender will be announced in the near future.
In addition, in the near future it is planned to conclude a contract with the same India for the supply of a batch of 42 SU-30MKi heavy fighters. The delivery amount will be approximately $ 2 billion.
