Monday, July 24, 2023

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Strains Its Ability to Sell Weapons to Africa

 Foreign Policy published on 21 July 2023 an article titled "Ukraine Has Ground Down Russia's Arms Business" by Jack Detsch.

Russia traditionally accounts for about half of major arms exports to Africa with most of them going to Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Angola.  Russia has lost so many weapons in the war with Ukraine that it will almost certainly result in a significant reduction of transfers to Africa.  It will also impact Russia's ability to provide spare parts for existing Russian weapons in Africa.

Comment:  This situation is opening the door to other arms exporters such as China to fill the void being left by Russia.