Ten Russian Defense Companies to Take Part in 4th International Lad-2003 Exhibition

Ten Russian arms manufacturers are to display their products at the fourth international LAD-2003 Exhibition which is to be held between April 22nd and 25th in South America's largest exhibition centre, Riocentro, just outside Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil.

This information was released Friday by the press service of Rosoboroneksport, a Federal State Unitary Enterprise, or FGUP. Under its aegis the Russian defence companies are taking part in this prestigious show for a fourth time.

The exhibitions have been held since 1997, supported by the Brazilian Defence Ministry and army commanders-in-chief, and are only open for specialists. LAD embraces all types of defences, hardware for law-enforcement agencies and special services.

According to the Rosoboroneksport spokesman, "the Russia-Brazilian defence co-operation has been on the increase since the last exhibition which took place two years ago." The exchange of high-level visits, and a number of intergovernmental agreements signed "have laid a steady foundation for this co-operation," he adds.

"The FGUP's bidding in tenders for delivery of fighter planes and heavy helicopters and a related information campaign have helped our Brazilian partners get a clear idea of the Russian arms manufacturers' potential," the source stressed.

What is special about this year's exhibit, he went on to say, "is the fact that Russian companies present a great deal of research-and-development and pilot design works, which reflects the mutual tendency of the Russian suppliers and the Latin American clients towards technological co-operation instead of just purchasing end products."