Russia's military depends on Ukraine for vital military parts

[hack89]

Interesting twist to the current fracas. I suspect the Russian military is not happy about this.

September 17, 2014: One of the generally unmentioned side effects of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine is the damage done to Russian weapons production because of their dependence on Ukraine. Although only 4.4 percent of Russian imports are from Ukraine many of those imports are crucial for the Russian armaments industry and the current modernization program for the Russian armed forces.

These industrial links date back to Soviet times and many remained active after the USRR collapsed in 1991. In many areas Russian arms producers, and users, are highly dependent on Ukrainian industry and most of these items cannot be quickly or cheaply replaced by Russian made substitutes. This is mainly due to insufficient production capacity of Russian industries. The most severe shortages occur in key areas. Prominent examples include IBCMs, air-to-air missiles, aviation and engines for warships.

For example over 50 percent of the Russian nuclear arsenal, including 80 percent of some Russian IBCMs, like the R-36M (SS-16 Satan), were dependent on Ukrainian components. These missiles were produced and serviced in Ukraine. Even some newer designs like the RS-18B (SS-19) and the mobile RS-12M (Topol or SS-25) are manufactured in Russia but their guidance systems come from Ukraine. Another example is the documentation and guidance systems of the SS-18 ICBM, as well as the maintenance of these items. This situation poses a serious threat to both the effectiveness and operational capacity of the Russian nuclear arsenal

One of the most important Ukrainian aviation suppliers is Motor Sich produces many of the new engines (and modernizes old ones) for the Mi-8/17 transport helicopters and Ka-50/52, Mi-28 and Mi24/35 attack helicopters. Despite the considerable effort the Russian industry has been not able to produce more sufficient helicopter engines for planned aircraft production over the next three years. Without Ukrainian engines Russia will be unable to produce the number of new helicopters for their own forces and export orders. They will also be unable to refurbish older engines to keep existing helicopters operational

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/articles/20140917.aspx

On edit: what a potential intelligence bonanza this could be for NATO - access to actual ICBM guidance systems and air-to-air missiles would be huge if Ukraine decides to use them as bargaining chips.

[The Magistrate]

1. There Were Reports Regarding The 'Humanitarian' Convoy, Sir

Stating that on the return trip, the trucks carried away a quantity of equipment from several factories producing military items, avionics and radars, if recollection serves. The usual suspects here, of course, proclaimed this was all lies, that the trucks were there only to relieve human suffering caused by beasts in human form....

[dipsydoodle]

2. Pretty much news from November 2013.

Should find links here from the past.

[snappyturtle]

3. This of course is a very interesting development...if true. What I find

amazing is the lack of proof of most anything in Ukraine. The reporting is
mostly propaganda. I just did a quick "Google" search on the convoys....
most of the links were from kievpost.com....which I find dubious. And since
I'm throwing in my two cents here, I also find the use of NATO in respect to
Ukraine misleading since Ukraine is not a member.

I'll read this stuff but I believe little of what's reported by whoever.