PART 2

Alexander Khramchikhin of the Institute for Military and Political Analysis shares a different opinion on the matter. “The sanctions will cause the biggest damage to Russia first and foremost. The countries of Eastern Europe are supposed to use our weapons for many years, and Russia could make billions of dollars on that. The sanctions would thus be the reason to dispose our defense products. In this case Russia may become its own worst enemy,” the expert said.



All of the above-mentioned countries still use Soviet-made weaponry. The modernization of MiG-29 fighter jets in foreign countries may bring up to 8 billion of dollars to Russia. A lion’s share of this amount can be made in Eastern Europe: there are about 150 of such fighters there and all of them require renovation.

Russia’s pullout from the market will not become a catastrophe to Eastern Europe. Some other countries will take Russia’s place immediately. Foreign companies will offer their services on very good conditions. For example, Sweden’s Gripen already eyes the aviation market of the Czech Republic.

In addition, Russia’s refusal to continue cooperation with European countries does not mean that the latter will utilize their Soviet arms. Israel has all chances to provide the technical services, for example, taking into consideration the fact that Israel has been attempting to intercept Russia’s business to modernize Soviet-made weapons.