Russia Claims Lead In Multi-Role Fighter Sales

Russia has claimed leadership in the export of new multirole fighter jets for 2009-2012, as per figures from Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport reported by Russia’s Center for the Analysis of the Global Arms Trade.

In that four-year period, Russia supplied 224 new jets valued at about $9 billion.

However, the center noted that if the period is calculated in terms of value and not volume, Russia cedes its market-leading position to the U.S.

Russia has enjoyed most of its combat aircraft sales success in Asia in the last decade, winning orders from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, but has also broken into the South American market with a deal to sell Su-30 fighters to Venezuela. Most of the aircraft ordered have been Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 series jets, but some MiG-29 fighters and Yak-130 combat trainers have also been sold, Rosoboronexport was quoted by RIA Novosti.

Russia is expected to maintain its leading position through 2016, based on predicted sales that include a potential deal with China for 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters (South China Morning Post reported a preliminary deal signed in December 2012), a new contract with Vietnam for 12 Su-30MK2s inked last week, and a possible deal with Syria for 24 MiG-29M/M2s.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, the Boeing F-15 E, Lockhed Martin F-16, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen are the western multi-role fighters competing against Russian aircraft.