HELSINKI — A Swedish think tank said Monday that Russia has emerged as the world’s second-largest arms producer after the United States. Russia surpassed Britain, which had held that spot since 2002 and remains Western Europe’s No. Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at the institute, said Russian producers of arms and weapon systems have been on a significant growth path since 2011. “This is in line with Russia’s increased spending on arms procurement to modernize its armed forces,” Wezeman said. The report noted Russia started an initiative to consolidate its arms industry in 2007, a process that is expected to be completed soon.

Source: Washington Post December 09, 2018 23:04 UTC