Welcome to the arms race, gentlemen!

In recent days, after the sharp deterioration of russia's relations with the countries of the West (american-European sanctions in connection with a case of poisoning skipala and unauthorized un strike missiles on Syria by the armed forces of several countries headed by the usa), on the front pages of the most influential newspapers in the world again began flickering almost almost forgotten the phrase "Arms race". Politicians and experts started talking in unison that a new round of such race is inevitable, and it will cause huge damage to the Russian economy. However, an impartial analysis of the situation leads to quite different conclusions. Thus, on 15 april, the head of the department for nonproliferation and arms control ministry of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir ermakov has made a number of statements in assembly of the council on foreign and defense policy (swap). In particular, he questioned the fact that in the foreseeable future can be achieved international agreements related to arms control.

As for the comprehensive ban on testing nuclear weapons, then the agreement is unlikely to ever enter into force. Little chance of being extended the contract regarding offensive arms (start-3), as, according to Vladimir ermakov, "The americans are inside of a valid contract behave indecent". "The arms race, of course, not a bluff, and very dangerous reality that has a significant disruptive impact on global stability and international security," the diplomat said. In his opinion, the cause of what is happening is that Western countries do not want to abandon the unipolar world order. Earlier, U.S.

President Trump in his infamous tweet wrote, referring to russia: "Look, can we stop the arms race?" then the american generals gave the order to click "Start" to its missile, which famously bombed several sites in syria. Earlier, on march 1, 2018, in his address to the federal assembly of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has presented the world a new highly efficient types of Russian weapons can overcome any missile defenses. After what many are talking about the coming escalation of the arms race, which can be dragged russia. So what happens? we really are drawn into a new arms race? there are three realms, the state of which can indicate the presence of an arms race: arms, war industry and military spending. Not long ago, the institute for the study of peace problems (sipri, stockholm) published data that showed an upward trajectory in all three areas. In particular, in 2012-2016 the maximum value (over any five year period after the end of the cold war) reached the volume of trade in conventional arms.

In 2010, one hundred largest defence industrial enterprises show a steady increase in arms sales. Compared to the previous five years the volume of international trade in major conventional weapons increased by 10% (2013-2017). Moreover, during these same five years, the United States increased its arms exports by 25%! and this despite the fact that the us share of all international arms transfers is more than 1/3 (34%). By the way, Russia ranks second after the USA in the world in international arms transfers.

And from the leader we are lagging behind not so much: the Russian supplies represent about 2/3 of sales of the United States. However, in recent years, our manufacturers sales are not increased. Nonetheless, deliveries of our manufacturers of weapons exceed 3-4 times the supply of following Russia in this ranking, France, Germany, China, Britain. Total sales of arms and military services the world's largest companies for the production of weapons and military services (top 100 sipri) reached 374,8 billion dollars. The sale of military weapons companies out of the top 100 sipri increased by 3. 8%, reaching in 2016 of $26. 6 billion and accounted for 7. 1% of the total volume.

10 Russian companies in the top 100 sipri show mixed trends in arms sales: five companies have recorded sales growth, while five showed a decline. Best results for 2016 at the "United aircraft corporation", which is ranked no. 13. In 2016, its sales increased by 15. 6% compared to the previous year (due to growth of deliveries to the Russian armed forces and increasing exports). On the chart: for the international sale of conventional weapons in the years 1978-2017.

Source: sipri thus, the dynamics of production and international arms sales (see chart) shows that the arms race since about 2005, started again and gradually accelerated. And Russia in this race is not on the last place (see chart below; source is the same). Objectively observed an arms race (still local), fuelling regional conflicts and hotbeds of tension. Thus, the arms imports to the middle east for the last 10 years has doubled. Most middle Eastern countries were involved in armed conflicts in the last five years.

Therefore, it is logical that the purchase of weapons by these states increased by 103% (!) compared to the years 2008-2012. Volume — 32% of the total global volume of arms imports. The main supply of arms to this part of the world carry the United States and European countries. In particular, saudi arabia 98% of their weapons buys from the mentioned states. Not diminishing regional tensions in South asia leads to a steady growth in the import of weapons to India.

Now this country is the largest importer in the market of major conventional weapons. The share of India accounts for 12% of the total global volume of arms transfers. In the years 2013-2017 India increased its imports by 24% compared to the 2008-2012 years. Russia is also involved in the Indian section of "War cake": 62% of India's imported weapons in 2013-2017 was of Russian origin.

The import of weapons by India from the us has increased over the last five years by 557% (!), and now the us in terms of arms supplies to India is second only to our country. The growth of weapons procurement, which India can't produce on their own, stimulated by its protracted conflict with pakistan and increasing tensions with China. China is increasingly able to create and produce their own weapons of acceptable quality. This allows beijing to strengthen relations with pakistan, bangladesh and myanmar due to the supply these countries with weapons of its own production. By the way, thanks to the development of a private defense industry in the last five years, China 19% reduced the import of weapons. However, China's imports of arms is the fifth largest in the world. Source: sipri interesting is also the following facts.

In 2013-2017 import of arms by countries in Africa decreased by 22% compared with the previous five-year period. The importation of arms to nigeria (where not the first armed conflict erupted) increased by 42% over the same period. From about 1998, in the world there is a general steady increase in military spending: military expenditure has increased rapidly in the period of large-scale armed conflict. It is such wars as the Korean and vietnam wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: the greatest burden of global military expenditures are the United States. Followed by China with russia.

These are followed by saudi arabia, India. Completing the seven countries with the largest military budgets, France and the uk: in short, when we say that we are being drawn into an arms race, you need to understand that, first, Russia has long been in this race drawn as the largest exporter of arms. And therefore, the strengthening of such a race can be considered (though it cynically) terms of use for our defense industry. Therefore, the observed current growth of tension in relations with the West in connection with the production of weapons is unlikely to be introduced to something new that will lead to disaster.

And secondly, the arms race intensifies, fed by numerous conflicts in the world and regional tensions.