Russia and the Europeans have a big problem in the arms market. Most people who can get advanced American weapons would rather buy those weapons then anything else since the US makes them in higher volume so the per unit price is lower then the competetion. That only leaves China, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba who can't buy American weapons because the US won't sell to them along with the fighter plane & naval markets in Latin America. The congress slapped advanced weapons export controls on atin America in the 1970's to weaken dictatorships and stop regional arms races so more money would be spent on social development.
The dictatorships in Latin America are gone and now the US arms makers are lobbying to have the export controls lifted. That means one of the biggest export markets for European arms is going to dry up (the US export controls didn't stop the dictators from buying weapons it just made them buy EU or Russian weapons instead of American) and they'd like to find a replacement before that happens. China is really the only option for them since the Russians already own North Korea, Iran, and India.
Sure, there are some small fries in Africa but those guys don't have the big bucks to spend on new air craft, ships, or missiles. If they want to keep their arms industries humming then they need China.
The dictatorships in Latin America are gone and now the US arms makers are lobbying to have the export controls lifted. That means one of the biggest export markets for European arms is going to dry up (the US export controls didn't stop the dictators from buying weapons it just made them buy EU or Russian weapons instead of American) and they'd like to find a replacement before that happens. China is really the only option for them since the Russians already own North Korea, Iran, and India.
Sure, there are some small fries in Africa but those guys don't have the big bucks to spend on new air craft, ships, or missiles. If they want to keep their arms industries humming then they need China.
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