The military-industrial complex (MIC) of Russia practically does not experience dependence on foreign supplies, he said in a conversation with Lenta.ru" military political scientist, Associate Professor of the Department of Politics and Sociology of the Russian University of Economics Plekhanova Alexander Perendzhiev. He added that a small shortage of components can be compensated by supplies from China.
The Financial Times newspaper, citing an unnamed American official, reported that the United States wants to take measures to limit Russia's ability to purchase spare parts for military needs abroad. Perendzhiev is convinced that this will not cause any damage to the domestic military-industrial complex.
"In principle, we are absolutely independent. If we bought something somewhere, then this is a secondary story, something that we have always been able or can replace. We have never depended on anyone, especially from the United States, realizing that if anything, problems may arise with this. Moreover, I want to remind you that sanctions against our country have been in effect since 2014, that is, import substitution, including in the military-industrial complex, has been carried out for a long time and seriously. In addition, if we really were dependent on someone, we would not have made such a leap forward, overtaking the United States in the innovative arms race," the expert believes.
Perendzhiev believes that the statements of the US authorities are aimed exclusively at the domestic consumer, who is sure that Russia really depends on the West to some extent. Although, as a military political scientist is convinced, the military-industrial complex has been completely independent for at least eight years.
"In fact, the situation is exactly the opposite. It is the United States and NATO that can get serious damage to their military-industrial complex, because it was from Russia that they received some components, for example, rocket engines. And in 2011, Poland, being a NATO country, bought small amphibious helicopters from us so that they would not even fly on the border, but were sent to Afghanistan as the most battle-tested helicopters. They are still being used," the expert stressed.
Any Western shortfalls, the military political scientist is sure, can be replaced. Including imports from China, which is already underway in the part that Russia cannot cope with or does not have time.
"These are, for example, engines for our warships. Not everything, of course, may be of good quality, but we definitely do not depend on the West. All experts have always understood that everything in Russia should be different, otherwise we will simply be cut off from oxygen. And now, even if we are doing something, it is only together with allies, for example, with Belarus," Perendzhiev said.
The only painful blow for the domestic military-industrial complex, which, however, managed to survive, Perendzhiev considers the rupture of cooperation with Ukraine after 2014. According to the military expert, the military-industrial complex of the two countries was united until that time, as a result of which the gap turned out to be extremely painful.
"But we have overcome it, eight years have passed. So everything the US is saying now is ridiculous. It's all just for the noise. And we have already taken all the necessary measures for a long time and definitely do not depend on either the United States or anyone else," Perendzhiev summed up.
