Russia Courts Mideast With Military Hardware

Russia Courts Mideast With Military Hardware

MOSCOW—

As Russia's economy heads into recession, its defense¹ industry is one of the few that seems to be prospering². And that was made clear at Russia's International Aviation and Space Show (MAKS) this week with the display of its military hardware. The recession, coupled with Western sanctions, has also meant courting customers and allies from the Middle East.

Russia's International Aviation and Space Show traditionally boasts an impressive display of military and civilian³ aviation hardware.

But this year, it was the military sector⁴ of the industry that stole the spotlight⁵, as the air show was used to showcase the country's military might.

Russian President Vladimir Putin pressed that point when he spoke⁶ at the show.

"We are to enhance Russia’s unique advantages in the aviation field and consolidate⁷ our leading role in manufacturing military aviation equipment. Therefore, we should carry out modernization⁸ and upgrading in aviation and space rocket manufacturing, bring in state-of-the-art facilities and ameliorate every link in order to improve our products’ quality and characters," Putin said.

Although western companies were present, Russia's defense industry is squeezed by sanctions over Ukraine and the loss of Ukrainian suppliers. The latter, says military analyst⁹ Alexander Golts, hit Russia particularly hard.

“Something like 300 enterprises in Russia received components¹⁰ from Ukraine. When all of this disappeared, you can imagine the level of losses,” Golts said.

While a controversial deal to sell advanced missile defense systems to Iran was delayed, Russia, according to Moscow State University political scientist Viktor Mizin, is courting other Middle East customers and allies.

“Now that its friendly regime of Bashar [al]-Assad is literally¹¹ under fire in Syria; and, of course, Russia managed to restore ties and even military cooperation with Egypt.  But, still probably it needs more allies, and especially now that the oil prices are diving,” Mizin said.

While Russia's aviation companies are having their ups and downs, deals expected later this year could help to steady the industry.

But much will depend on Russia's military spending and the economy.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 prospering   

成功，兴旺( prosper的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Our country is thriving and prospering day by day. 祖国日益繁荣昌盛。
• His business is prospering. 他生意兴隆。

3 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

4 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

5 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

7 consolidate   

v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并

参考例句：

• The two banks will consolidate in July next year. 这两家银行明年7月将合并。
• The government hoped to consolidate ten states to form three new ones.政府希望把十个州合并成三个新的州。

8 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

9 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

10 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

11 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。