Putin's forces face quality concerns, rush to recover exported arms
8:19 AM EST, November 10, 2023
"The Wall Street Journal" reports that Russia is striving to reclaim some of the weapons it previously exported to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Belarus, and Brazil. This movement may hint at diminishing military supplies within Vladimir Putin's armory.
Russian soldiers have voiced their concerns that newer missiles are of poorer quality compared to those manufactured during the later 20th century or during the era of the USSR. Towards the end of the 20th century, many industrial plants were sold, and the remaining ones have not seen modernization.
The majority of ammunition is produced using machinery dating back to the period of the USSR, including some lathes originally from Nazi Germany that are still in use.
These machines, however, are deteriorating, and the quality of the bodies of artillery projectiles is less than satisfactory. This same predicament applies to more complex devices used in manufacturing primers or detonators.
As stated by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny, approximately seven million rounds of various types were fired by Russian artillery in the first half of 2023. Even without sanction limitations, producing this much new ammunition would take Russia about five years.
Russia seeks return of exported weapons
It's perhaps due to this reason that Russia is keen to reclaim old weapons. As reported by "The Wall Street Journal", Russia is making efforts to reclaim some of the weapons it exported to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Belarus, and Brazil.
In April the previous year, a Russian delegation, during their Cairo visit, met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The delegation requested the return of over a hundred Russian helicopter engines, which Moscow requires for its conflict with Ukraine.
According to American sources, Sisi complied and approximately 150 engines are expected to begin shipping next month.
Throughout the past year, Russia has been engaging in negotiations with officials from Pakistan, Belarus, and Brazil about purchasing engines for Russian attack and transport helicopters, which have been lost in the early stages of the war.
