Russian-Jordan Military Cooperation

Jordan – a path to the Middle East Arms Market

Middle East market is assessed to be on the up trade. The volume of Russian arms, represented on the market, is traditionally very high. During the Soviet Union time a bulk of then up-to-date weapon systems were delivered to Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen etc. The number of Arab-Israel wars encouraged the ammunition and military hardware deliveries. After the collapse of USSR, Russia has been continuing the close relations on the field of military-technical cooperation with the countries where weapons produced by the Soviet Union are used. At the same time Moscow seeks new countries that are interested in the cutting-edge Russian military hardware.
Despite of financial crisis and some features of the Middle East Arms Market, which is characterized by leaps and bounds, the figures of last years are impressed. Based on SIPRI Yearbook 2009 the expenditures on arms purchase in the Middle East increased by 45 % and in 2008 the volume of spending amounted 75.6 billion US dollars. Saudi Arabia was the last but one among 10 top military spenders in 2008 with 38.2 billion-dollar spending. Expanding on arms purchase in Middle East, it worth to mention that the large rise in Iraq was observed in 2008. Another Middle East country, UAE was in the five largest recipients of major conventional weapons within 2004-2008 years.
As was mentioned above the Middle east Arms Market is a very sensitive one. The are several factors that make it like this. The first one is stipulated by the ongoing peace process and in case when a state purchases a modern strike or defense weapon system the overall situation can be aggravated. In this connection USA and Israel are about to go ballistic over Iranian nuclear program, if not already have gone.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and due to the end of Cold War the traditional spheres of influence at the global arms market are getting disappeared, the “borders” are dissolved. It is fair for the Middle East Arms Market as well. A lot of countries of the region, like Jordan or Saudi Arabia tries to diversify the purchasing of military hardware and equipment. However, the traditional big players like Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain and USA try to impede the entrance to the markets they used to exercise full control.
Another factor is appearance of a group of new arms export countries, like Brazil, China Finland, Iran, Israel, South Africa, Turkey etc. Apart of China, which currently dominate in Africa, other countries rapidly penetrate into the Middle East Arms Market, offering sophisticated cutting-edge weapon systems that are in great demand of Arab country's top militaries.
The last but not list peculiarity of the Middle East Arms Market is the tendency to decrease a bulk purchase of military hardware. It could be explained as following. A lot of systems and ammunition delivered last decades are still in good shape and condition. These countries aim at the modernization of its stocks, but at the same time seek new generation weapons, which allow them to save money by purchasing multipurpose strike and defense systems. Firstly, it stems from financial problems caused by the crisis, secondly new generation wars demand integrated and complex systems that can combine both defensive and strike abilities and capabilities.
Several words should be said on the products which dominate on the Middle East Arms Market. The tendency to buy different types of combat airplanes, verity of missile systems, including AA ones, different armed vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition etc will remain. Among these products special-purpose weapon systems have shown up. In the wake of Global War on Terrorism special weapons are widely used by special forces and law enforcement units.
For instance, Russia exports special arms and equipment to more than 50 states mainly in Middle East countries. Advanced weapon systems, manufactured by Russian leading companies, are armed vehicles APCs (BTR-90), IFV's (BMP-3), Armored Mine and Obstacle Clearing Vehicle (BMR-3M), airplanes, ship-based antisubmarine helicopters Ka-28, rescue and search helicopter Ka-27PS as well as small arms specially designed for special forces. Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems are noteworthy to be mentioned as well. Russia offers the Kredo 1E Small-size Multi-purpose Radar and FARA-1 Small-size Warning Radar.
Kredo 1E is intended for the automatic all-weather detection and surveillance of personnel, vehicles, helicopters and armor disposition. It can be used for artillery system fire adjustment by the detection of projectile impact place. FARA-1 is all-weather automatic surveillance radar to detect moving targets (personnel and vehicles) against background of earth and water surfaces.
Jordan stands one of the first countries which is interested in diversification of weapons and shows its interest in Russian arms. During the last visit of King Abdallah II to Moscow, an issue to purchase Russian Anti-Aircraft Systems and aerotechnics was widely discussed. Currently Russia and Jordan exploit Joint Venture for “Hashim” antitank grenade launcher. It shows that Amman does not want to buy weapons but also to produce it, and this opportunity was provided by Russia. Moreover, Jordan will reexport the launcher. Another field of the cooperation is modernization of stocks. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has powerful armored forces totaling over 1,000 M60A1, M60A2, Khalid (Chieften) and Tarig (Centurion) main battle tanks, Scorpion light tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, M113 and BTR-94 armored personnel carriers. The above fleet needs upgrade and partial substitution, which is extremely promising for the Russian and Jordanian cooperation.
Jordan expresses its interest in buying modern airplanes and helicopters. It has already purchased two cargo aircraft Il-76MF and six Ka-226 helicopters.
In conclusion I'd like to mention that despite of difficulties the Russian Federation faces at the Middle East Arms Market the quality, reliability and prices on the Russian weapon systems make them competitive and the SOFEX 2010 is one more show-floor where professionals from all over the world can judge Russian military products on their merits.