If Russia spent $500 million on its military operations in Syria, all indications are it’s about to get that back–in spades. Because the Kremlin has done a good job of selling its successes, it just might receive a multi-billion-dollar windfall in new revenue. That is thanks to potential arms sales of it’s latest and greatest aerial technology–all of which has been on display for the rest of the world to see.
According to the newspaper’s source, close to military exports and technical cooperation, potential customers are looking to buy the weapons proved in action. These are armaments in the inventory of Russian military or already bought by another country.
Kommersant reports that after the campaign began, in December 2015 Algeria requested 12 Su-32 bombers (export version of the Su-34). According to the director of the Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant Sergey Smirnov, the negotiations had been going on for eight years, but developed slowly.
However, the success of the bomber in Syria has given new impetus to the negotiations. The newspaper says the first order of the Su-32 will cost Algeria at least $500-600 million, and there is an option for another 6-12 aircraft.
In parallel with these negotiations, Algeria has requested a Su-35S for testing. The Algerian army is interested in purchasing at least ten of the fighters for $850-900 million.
ndonesia, Vietnam and Pakistan are also interested in the Su-35. The all have experience in operating Soviet aircraft but want to upgrade. The contracts with Indonesia and Vietnam may be worth as much as $1 billion each.
The appearance of the S-400 in Syria has sharply increased interest in this product from the Saudi Army, as well as intensified talks with India. It’s not known, whether Russia is interested in selling its latest generation anti-aircraft weapon, but, if sold, the contract may be worth $2-3 billion, depending on the number of launchers.
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