Sanctions against Russian arms companies...

[benEzra]

could this impact the U.S. supply of 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, 7.62x54mm, etc.? I'm remembering how "trade sanctions" against China's Norinco halted the importation of Chinese guns and ammunition.

http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/16-11-2007/101052-sanctions-0

USA may introduce sanctions against Russia for its lucrative arms deals

Russia may pay a very big price for its arms shipments to Iran and Syria. The House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress currently considers a bill to introduce economic sanctions against Russian organizations and companies which provide countries of the so-called axis of evil with up-to-date defense technologies.

The bill was submitted to the Congress Wednesday. Five congressmen who initiated the document express their concerns about Russia-led arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. The congressmen demand U.S. President George W. Bush should introduce sanctions against the arms suppliers. They believe that the Russian companies herewith break U.S. laws which exclude defense shipments to Iran and Syria.

The President of the United States is entitled to single-handedly introduce economic sanctions against companies, state-run organizations and foreign countries violating the ban to deliver defense technologies (including weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies) to the countries of the axis of evil.

It is worthy of note that Russia and Iran signed a 700-million-dollar contract at the end of 2005 for the delivery of 29 missile complexes Tor-M1. The system is capable of striking all types of aircraft, as well as cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft. In addition, Russia is currently in talks with Syria to deliver short-range air defense systems Strelets (Shooter).

The United States is also concerned about Russia’s defense deals with Venezuela. The Venezuelan administration has recently acquired more than 50 military choppers, 24 Su-30MK2 fighter jets and 100,000 latest Kalashnikov assault rifles (AK-103) from the Russian Federation. To add more fuel to the fire, Venezuela signed a contract with Russia to launch the licensed production of Kalashnikov guns.

Washington has repeatedly urged Moscow to cease arms shipments to the countries with shady political regimes, as the USA believes. The U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicolas Burns stated last week that the Russian government must end defense shipments to Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also criticized Russia for its defense deals with Syria and described such politics as “destabilizing.”

The Russian administration claims that the sale of Russian-made weapons to the above-mentioned countries does not infringe upon any international agreements, nor do they affect the balance of forces in the Middle East. Russian officials say that the deliveries are made to increase the defense ability of those countries.

“Any attempts to dictate the restrictions based on one-sided and politicized views cannot and will not be taken into our consideration,” Putin said. “This is the absolute priority for us. Russia has always observed, observes and will observe all international obligations in the defense field,” the Russian president added.

Utro

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Pravda.ru

 

[Car Knocker]

Washington has repeatedly urged Moscow to cease arms shipments to the countries with shady political regimes, as the USA believes.

Perhaps Washington should heed its' own advice.

could this impact the U.S. supply of 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, 7.62x54mm, etc.?

It's possible that it would impact both firearm and ammuntion exports to the U.S. It would all depend on how any sanctions imposed were worded.

 

[rbernie]

They believe that the Russian companies herewith break U.S. laws which exclude defense shipments to Iran and Syria.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I do not believe that Russian business concerns are subject to US laws.

Russia may pay a very big price for its arms shipments to Iran and Syria. The House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress currently considers a bill to introduce economic sanctions against Russian organizations and companies which provide countries of the so-called axis of evil with up-to-date defense technologies.

I wonder how much of a hit this really might be. I actually don't think that we do much business, in the grand scheme of things, with the Russian arms industry or the interests that control it. Probably more bluster than bite, this is.

 

[elmerfudd]

I wonder how much of a hit this really might be. I actually don't think that we do much business, in the grand scheme of things, with the Russian arms industry or the interests that control it. Probably more bluster than bite, this is.

That's why they're considering sanctions. If we had substantial business dealings with them then they wouldn't do it. Notice that you don't hear any talk about sanctions on Chinese electronics.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Some other eastern block country will just open up a factory. I'm seriously looking at getting a Ural motorcycle in a couple years though, this could really stink for me! Oh yeah, that and all my rifles are AKs...

 

[wdlsguy]

I have no doubt there are elements within the U.S. government that would love to turn off the spigot on Saiga firearms and Wolf / Golden Tiger / Silver Bear / Brown Bear / Golden Bear ammunition.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

This is the same approach that cut off Norinco imports into the U.S.

The only caveat here is that Russia is sitting on a vast Siberian oil reserve that is now larger than the untapped oil volume in the middle east. American service companies, rig operators, and exploration companies could get screwed out of their investments if this goes through.

This looks like the reintroduction and broadening of H.R. 1400: Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 which is shifting some of its sole focus on Russia's investment into Iranian Uranium enrichment. It failed last year and hopefully this will strike out again.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

Umm didnt the DOD just get done with a $450 MILLION deal with Vympel for the cache that we are now holding over the heads of our favorite stooge in both Iraq and Afganistan?

Washington is so two faced its rediculas they could seriously try to push something like this through.

Personally, i think all the x39 that comes out of RomArm SADU Arsenal is better then all the stuff from Uly and Vympel anyway. They can have those and the saigas too, maybe poland and bulgaria will get into the game a little more if so.

On second thought, let them go for it. Id like to see Radom, Arsenal, RomArm and Zastava, and heck maybe even FEG get (back) into the game(s) with some more heart.

 

[MD_Willington]

Maybe Poland will open up a few munitions and arms plants, Beryl rifles are pretty fine looking...

 

[Gordon]

There goes the new Remingtons!

 

[Car Knocker]

This is the same approach that cut off Norinco imports into the U.S.

Norinco shotguns are still imported.

 

[dstorm1911]

Car knocker, thats because of a loophole that exempts Sporting shotguns,

If Wolf Ammo is shut off from import to the USA ya will see the price on your Romanian ammo etc... jump significantly, a lack of competition has a way of doing that.......

 

[lencac]

I think we should export some of our own latest technology weaponry to these countries like Iran, Syria and even Russia. Heck the kicker would be free delivery ............ right out of the belly of a B2 Stealth bomber

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

How did the economic sanctions against Steyr-Mannlicher work out? I haven't heard anything of it in years.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they sanctioned all the arms manufacturers that supplied Iran with weapons recently. Companies like Steyr-Mannlicher supply arms to be used against us and you still want to support them with your money?

 

[rocinante]

I don't think the U.S. military is too concerned with Russian air defense systems. Anybody take note that Israel flew all the way across Syria and destroyed a mysterious facility? The same Syria that had recently installed the latest and greatest Russian air defense system available. Everything about that raid is rumor and mystery BUT the fact is Israel made the raid without any loses. The surprise seems to be so complete even the Syrians are too ashamed to bitch about it. Rumor is the U.S. had some kind of super duper counter measure plane in the raid playing mother hen to the Israeli raiders. IMHO that raid made a HUGE impression on the Iranians and is a factor in them toning down their act in Iraq. It demonstrated that the GREAT SATAN and friend can take out anything they own with impunity. Scary huh?

On this thread I have two saigas and an SKS so if they cut the supply of cheap Russian ammo I would be whiny. IMHO we have mismanaged the Russians badly especially with the expansion of NATO to their former republics to the border itself and pushing our anti missile systems in Europe. If they are acting more belligerent I really understand. When they fell we overplayed kicking them when they were down. Proud people don't like that.

 

[max popenker]

rocinante, the best measure against the most modern Russian (or any other make) Air Defense system is its own Arab crew.

About 15 years ago i was taught by ex-Soviet Army AD officer who served a tour "somewhere close to Israel" in 1973. He said that as long as things are up to personal courage and bravery, Arab soldiers are quite good; but as soon as it goes up to hi-tech and discipline - they are ...well.. not that good.
From what i know, most effective SAM batteries in Egypt were manned with Soviet "advisers".

As for sanctions against Russian arms companies - it happened several times before. Someone still didn't recognized that the Cold War is over, and there's free international business which is hardly governed by US national laws

 

[ThomasT]

This is sort of off topic. I have a Norinco paratrooper model and about 600 rounds of Norinco ammo. I saw some of this ammo on gunbroker and it was expensive. Is this stuff worth anything or should i just shoot it up?

I got the gun when my dad died. It was unfired. I've shot it 80 times now. I also have the Wolf brand ammo and may buy some more.

 

[Kurac]

We are still the largest arms exporter in the world by far and it sounds like we don't want to give up our lead. If Hugo Chavez wanted to trade oil for Blackhawks and 100,000 M16's we probably never would have heard about it. When the Russians make a deal in our back yard our arms industry looses out.

 

[627PCFan]

Are AK-103's legal in the US? Who carries them?

 

[Onmilo]

AK-103 rifles are selective fire and not legal for import or sale in the US except to Military and certain Government entities.

The US imposes sanctions of trade restrictions against US firms that may wish to do business with countries the US deems a threat to US concerns.

The United Nations can impose sanctions against certain countries but this organization has no ability to enforce those decisions.

Russian can sell whatever they want to whomever they want with the exception of Nuclear technology that can be used to develop nuclear weapons, the US has no authority over Russian or anybody elses sales except those of direct US interests.

Who are these five Congressmen?