RUSSIAN CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS IN ASIA SINCE 1991

This thesis examines the relationships between Russia’s arms export industry and three major customer states in Asia. What motivated China, India, and Vietnam to procure conventional arms from Russian rather than other major suppliers, particularly in the post–Cold War era? The answer is a complex mix of strategic goals, political rationale, financial affordability, technological suitability, and old habit. This thesis centers on individual case studies for each of the three customer states, and is bookended by an opening review of the modern Russian arms industry and a final discussion of common themes and what to expect from future arms transfers from Russia. It uses press reporting, analysis by independent organizations, and a framework incorporating theories of international relations to address the research question. The main intention of this thesis is to examine the role of arms transfers across multiple states both as a practice per se, and as a component of national (and international) policy; additionally, it is designed to provide value to military personnel who wish to become more familiar with this important topic. http://archive.org/details/russianconventio1094564184 Lieutenant, United States Navy Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.