Almost three decades have passed since the moment when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceased to exist. Today, many are convinced that the industry in the USSR was insufficiently developed, which led to the release of low-quality goods that were not popular among buyers and were not in great demand. But the opinion is wrong. As a proof, it is worth just remembering the products that came to foreign markets, and they were happy to buy them there.
What products were exported from the Soviet Union?
The relations of the international format during the existence of the USSR were at different levels of intensity. Despite this, trade relations have always been maintained between the socialist and capitalist states. Moreover, they also developed. A huge list of goods was exported abroad.
As a rule, export variations were much better in quality than similar products sold in the territory of the producing country. Naturally, goods marked made in the USSR were appreciated by residents of other states. Even then, in foreign countries, the word "brand" was used, although we had the same products under the definition of "trade mark".
Regardless of the name, the characteristics of the product did not change from this. A lot of things made in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were in great demand both in the West and in Europe.
1. Goods of the military-industrial direction
In Western countries, the feeling of real fear was caused by the Soviet P-36M. This strategic installation was later renamed by American specialists to SS-18 SATAN (translated as "Satan"). She appeared in the seventy-third year and at that time nothing like that existed anywhere. The radius of its defeat was equal to 10,000 kilometers. No anti-missile system could withstand the ballistic complex. After a while, in the eighties, "Satan" was modernized. An improved version of the R-36M2 was named "Voevoda". The system, created in 1988, has no analogues today. Protection against it has never been invented.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle is a weapon of the USSR, which can rightfully be called the most recognizable. The Soviet Union supplied large quantities of AK-47s to third world countries. You can still see it today on the coat of arms of the state of Mozambique. NATO military experts noted that this machine has a great advantage over other similar weapons in terms of effectiveness.
2. Oil
The state treasury received huge income from the export of oil and its products. In total, the income accounted for about a third of the Soviet Union's trade export turnover.
Oil on the world market was presented under the URALS brand. For many years, it was in great demand and at a high price. In 1986, oil experienced an artificial collapse. This fact became a collapse for the great state.
3. Soviet-made cars
"Niva" or VAZ-2121, the world's first off-road vehicle, was released in 1977 in the Soviet Union. In a short time, the car became a real legend in more than a hundred countries. A lot of vehicles went there - 80 percent. In the Soviet Union, "Niva" was a hard-to-find car. In terms of comfort, it was equated with such famous brands as Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. With regard to performance, other representatives of a similar class could not compare with it. It is our domestic "Niva" that has become a prize-winner many times in international races. The most amazing thing is that abroad there were queues of those who wanted to buy this car for themselves - a fact from the realm of fantasy.
Another VAZ export car, the Lada model, was no less in demand in other countries, just like the Moskvich-408, well-known to many. To be more precise, most of all the cars produced in the Soviet Union were exported abroad.
The KamAZ truck has also become popular all over the world. It was designed specifically for use in the defense sector. The result exceeded all expectations. Therefore, every year the truck was sold in whole lots in a fairly large quantity - tens of thousands of units.
4. Cameras
There is an opinion that the photographic equipment made in the Land of the Soviets was much inferior in its characteristics to the gadgets of foreign manufacturers. In fact, it was completely different. The proof of this is the Zenit camera. Products of the E series have become recognizable at all. The SLR camera, created at a mechanical plant in the city of Krasnogorsk, was recognized (rightfully) as a world bestseller.
5. Clock
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the fifties was recognized as the leader in the production of budgetary and, at the same time, high-quality watches. At certain intervals, more than twenty million products were exported to other countries, which were sold there under other names. Consumers appreciated them for their high reliability and quality.
The Komandirskie watches have truly become a cult product. They had a significant superiority in terms of performance even in comparison with the best analogues of Japanese and Swiss production. This brand of watches was not available for free sale. They were released strictly under the order (by account) of the Ministry of Defense of the state.
6. Products
Back in 1954, the West was conquered by our domestic vodka - "Stolichnaya". Especially massively it was exported to other countries in the nineties. The brand is well recognized today in many countries, and the product is valued for its high quality characteristics.
One can talk about black caviar for a long time. But the most important thing is that this particular delicacy has always been considered and today is considered the embodiment of chic. At all times, not only during the existence of the USSR, a jar of black caviar was a welcome present.
Want to know more, then read, how to distinguish a domestic Kalashnikov assault rifle from a foreign one.