In 2014, no other person has had a more sweeping impact on aerospace and aviation—for better or worse—than Russian President Vladimir Putin. And for all but the most cynical of observers, Putin’s far-reaching impact has definitely been for the worse. Because of this, he is Aviation Week's 2014 Person of the Year.

Obama administration has made great progress in reforming export-control procedures, but benefits for the A&D industry are slow to materialize.

Like most abrupt macroeconomic changes, there are mixed implications for the defense sector from the recent drop in oil prices.

One size does not fit all: imports, partnerships and national independent programs all feature in Brazil’s defense acquisitions.

With a well-developed indigenous defense industry, Turkey seeks to become a major exporter, focusing on the Middle East and Central Asia.

Used to producing only for the domestic market, arms producers in Japan must adapt to successfully develop their export business.

The conflict in Ukraine has increased the visibility of Russia’s military transformation, which Putin began at the start of his first term as president.

Aviation Week’s Person of the Year is the figure who had the most impact—for better or, in this case, worse—on aerospace and aviation over the year. In 2014, Putin’s actions roiled defense, space and commercial aviation.