Russian arms exporter company hopes for contracts after MAKS show.

17/8 Tass 227

MOSCOW, August 17 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian arms exporting company
Rosoboronexport hopes to sign contracts with foreign partners for sale of
armaments and military equipment following the negotiations at the ninth
MAKS international aerospace show, Rosoboronexport press service told
Itar-Tass on Monday, referring to the opinion of Rosoboronexport deputy
director-general Alexander Mikheyev, the head of the company's delegation.

"Even though the world financial and economic crisis left certain
impact on all the spheres of interstate relations, including the
military-technical cooperation, we are sure that the meetings at the MAKS
air show will lead to specific results," Mikheyev said. "There will be
contracts, hence cash for enterprises of Russia's defence Industry
complex," he said. "At our estimate, contracts may very soon be signed
with a number of Latin American countries and countries of Arab East,"
Mikheyev said.
"I am sure that thanks to thorough preparation for the coming meetings
and negotiations and drawing up proposals attractive to partners we will
be able to cope with all the tasks we set ourselves for this air show,"
Mikheyev stressed.
At Rosoboronexport estimate, "the biggest buyers of Russian military
aviation equipment and specialized instruments for the air force are
India, Venezuela, Algeria and Malaysia." The total value of deliveries to
those countries exceeded two billion dollars in 2008. Russia's partners in
military technical cooperation, such as Indonesia, Libya, Brazil, Ecuador,
Chile and other countries, give much attention to reequipping their air
forces, too.
Rosoboronexport notes considerable interest of partners in the latest
Russian combat planes Su-35, Su-30MKI (MKM), Su-30MK2, MiG-35, MiG-29K
(KUB), MiG 29SMT, MiG-29VRT, combat trainers Yak-130 and MiG-AT, and
various helicopters of the Mil and Kamov trademarks, and means of air
defence.
The bulk of export samples in which potential foreign buyers show
interest will be seen at the MAX show in performance, the press service
noted. "On the stands of Russian enterprises and training complexes, the
guests of the air show can assess the flying properties of some planes and
see armaments, including precision guided missiles and aviation bombs,"
the press service noted.
-0-saf/usn