NATO beginning to worry about Russian access to Western tech

[ErnstBlofeld]

GeoStrategy Direct:

 

For the first time in more than a decade, NATO has expressed concern over Russia's growing access to the Western defense technology market.

NATO has warned that the removal of U.S. and other sanctions from Russia's defense industry could end up harming the Western alliance. Officials said Western technology sold to Moscow could enhance Russian platforms later exported to such countries as Iran and Syria.

 

 

"There should be open consultation with all NATO countries before a sale is made, as it is very dangerous for decisions to be taken by countries without discussion," Latvian Defense Minister Imants Liegis said.

 

Negotiations between the Kremlin and Western contractors have intensified in wake of Russia's support of United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran. The United States has removed sanctions from Russian defense companies, while European members of NATO were discussing the sale of an assault ship to Moscow.

 

"A Russian general said that if he had had this equipment at the time of the attack on Georgia, it could have been done in 40 minutes and not 24 hours," Liegis said.

 

In May 2010, a NATO report warned that advanced Western defense technology could end up reaching adversaries. The report on NATO's new strategic concept urged alliance members to share information on technology before sales to non-members.

 

"These consultations can be important both for preventing and managing crises and need not await an imminent Article 5 threat," the report said.

 

At Eurosatory 2010 in Paris, which took place in June, U.S. defense contractors were briefed on Russian requirements by the state-owned arms export agency, Rosoboronexport. Executives said Rosoboronexport has sought systems that would protect armored vehicles.

 

"Rosoboronexport is open to discussions with American companies," Rosoboronexport official Nikolei Dimidiuk said.

 

Officials said the removal of sanctions from Russian defense contractors would facilitate U.S. procurement of the M-17 utility helicopter for both Afghanistan and Iraq. They said the Defense Department intends to purchase at least 10 Mi-17s in 2011. So far, the Pentagon has procured eight Mi-17s — the price per unit for which has tripled since 2007 — for the Iraq Air Force.

 

"It works well in Afghanistan," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, responsible for developing the Afghan Air Force, said.

[ErnstBlofeld]

The French are making this a huge problem by selling a Mistral class amphibious assault ship and more NATO/US technology on top of that to Russia.The Russian military industrial complex is dying so they need an infusion of technology for them to copy. The French are planning to sell a SIGMA artillery navigation system for artillery pieces enabling highly accurate firing on short notice.