Russia signs arms deals with Arab states totaling $12 billion

Russia's defense export giant Rosoboronexport concluded several contracts with Arab states within the framework of IDEX-2011 International Defense Exhibition. The deals total $12 billion. According to Viktor Komardin, deputy head of the company, the new contracts stipulate the delivery of state-of-the-art defense technology. Russia is currently ranked as world's second largest arms exporter.

Komardin stated at a news conference in Abu Dhabi that Russia had concluded new contracts worth $12 billion during the exhibition, The Voice of Russia said.

Rosoboronexport gave a 3D presentation of its products at the event. The company mostly unveiled basic export units of military hardware, such as T-90C tank, Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, BTR-80A armored vehicle, TOS-1A Buratino system, Smerch and Grad volley-fire systems, Vena artillery complex, and others.

In the new format, Russia presented over 20 units of military hardware from 33 defense organizations.

Over 1,000 companies from 49 countries of the world take part in the exhibition. The exposition is set on 108,000 square meters. Russia takes a very important place in this sector of the market. The country still remains one of the world leaders in terms of arms sales. In 2010, Rosoboronexport's arms sales were estimated at over $10 billion.

Anatoly Isaikin, the head of Rosoboronexport, previously said that the company was exporting several thousands of military products. Russian arms export grow by 500-600 million dollars a year. The current order portfolio of the state-run enterprise makes up $40 billion. The share of aviation in the portfolio makes up not less than 40 percent. As for armored vehicles and the hardware for ground troops and navy, their share in the order portfolio makes up from 16 to 19 percent.

Russia has recently been conducting active talks with many countries regarding the deliveries of air defense systems. Isaikin believes that this type of arms has good prospects for approaching aviation sales volumes. However, the enterprises that produce such systems as S-300 and S-400 mostly ship their products on the Russian market only.

According to Isaikin, China will remain Russia's largest client in the defense industry, in spite of the fact that this country is currently interested in making its own arms.

International Defense Exhibition IDEX 2011 takes place in Abu Dhabi on February 20-24. Among other countries, defense products are presented by Russia, the USA, Britain, France and Germany. NAVDEX-2011, Naval Defense Exhibition, the Mideastern exhibition of naval forces and security is taking place in Abu Dhabi as well, within the scope of IDEX-2011.

Valentin Gridin
Bigness