In late February, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa confirmed that the country will not transfer its outdated Russian military equipment, he had described as “scrap,” to Ukraine.
In January, Ecuador was reportedly ready to ship its unserviceable Russian military equipment to the United States in exchange for modern U.S. technology to strengthen the country’s security. In an interview with Ecuavisa President Noboa called the equipment “scrap metal. They [Russia] allege that it is war equipment, but we have proven that it is scrap,” he said.
A week and a half later, Russia imposed a ban on bananas, one of Ecuador’s most important exports, to pressure the Andean country. Russia’s move and Ecuador’s backtracking, however, do not dispel ongoing concerns about the poor quality and inherent risks associated with Russian military equipment.
Russia and China have been known to exert pressure on Latin American nations to get their way, experts agree. “It’s neither ethical nor legal to threaten a nation through blackmail to get what is wanted,” Euclides Tapia, professor of International Relations at the University of Panama, told Diálogo on February 20.
“[Moscow] has no right to impose this kind of pressure on another country,” Tapia added. “This scenario does not change the low value of Russian military equipment.”
“Russia is not an ally, but an enemy of democracy,” Jorge Serrano, a security expert and member of the team of advisors to the Peruvian Congress’ Intelligence Commission, told Diálogo on February 12. “In addition, [Russia] promotes organized crime and drug trafficking; elements that are undermining democratic stability in Ecuador.”
Russian sales plummet
Between 2017 and 2021, Russian and Chinese military sales to Latin America plummeted due to limitations to Moscow and Beijing’s defense industries. Russian exports were affected by the loss of its main customers in the region Venezuela and Nicaragua, a report by the Center for Strategic Studies of the Peruvian Army (CEEEP) indicated. The loss of these countries as key buyers could not be compensated by the search for new clients, the report said.
International sanctions on the Kremlin for the annexation of Crimea, which contributed to making Russia an unreliable supplier, also affected Russian military sales, the report added. The success of Western military equipment in Ukraine against Russia also reduced the attractiveness of buying Russian-sourced materiel.
The war in Ukraine, including the staggering loss of tanks and armored vehicles, the Russian Air Force failure to enforce air superiority, and the sinking of the Moskva warship in the Black Sea, also pointed to inferior military equipment, Asia Times reported. Ukrainian intercepts published in the fall of 2023 by Reuters show Russian soldiers complaining about the mediocre equipment.
“Russia’s offensive weapons have also proved disappointing,” Australian news site The Conversation reported. “It’s missile failure rate — the share that either failed to launch, malfunctioned mid-flight or missed their target — may be as high as 50 percent to 60 percent due to design flaws and outdated or inferior equipment.”
In July 2023, the Venezuelan Air Force lost its third Sukhoi fighter jet. In 2006, Venezuela signed a contract for the supply of 24 Su-30Mk2 but as of 2020, only 11 aircraft were operational with issues that included onboard equipment and problems with metal frames, Ukrainian military magazine Defense Express reported.
“Russian military equipment does not meet the quality standards promoted. In clashes with Ukraine, its poor performance and significant losses have become evident, negating its effectiveness. These facts reinforce the need […] to get rid of this obsolete material,” Serrano said.
Great opportunity
In this context, Uruguay is negotiating the purchase of weapons, radars, and military trucks with the United States, Minister of Defense Luis Lacalle Pou said in early February during the visit of U.S. General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command. The objective is to renew and modernize the obsolete materiel of the Uruguayan Army, Argentine platform Infobae reported.
“Uruguay has a great opportunity, with the support of the United States, to obtain quality equipment to face current threats. U.S. equipment is recognized for its excellence, reliability, and utility in the field,” Serrano said. “The United States is supporting the South American region in a decisive and concrete manner.”
Currently countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua use Russian weaponry; other countries in the region also have Russian helicopters, reports Mexican newspaper El Economista. Maintaining these aircraft is a technical challenge because they are constantly breaking down and there are no spare parts, Serrano said.
“Russia is facing a serious crisis, leaving its military equipment unmaintained and deteriorating. This situation will affect all other Russian weaponry. It is crucial that nations get rid of obsolete Russian materiel while they still can, for their own security,” Serrano concluded.