Part 3/10:
Before the war, in 2023, Russia managed to export arms to just 12 countries, a staggering drop from 31 countries in 2019 and down from around 60 in the early 2010s. This precipitous decline signals a loss of reliable customers who are unlikely to return. These nations, rather than stopping defense procurement altogether, have turned to compete suppliers, often Western opponents such as France, for their arms needs. Despite a global push to stock up on weaponry amidst ongoing strife, former Russian allies increasingly seek alternatives as they seek to bolster their military capabilities independently.