MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The number of Russia's partners in the sphere of military-technical cooperation has exceeded 100 countries, and 98 of them have signed with Moscow relevant international agreements, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday at a meeting of the commission on Russia's military-technical cooperation with foreign countries.
"I will remind you that in 2015 Russian military equipment was supplied to 58 countries, and on the whole, the number of our partners in the sphere of military-technical cooperation has exceeded 100 countries, with 98 of them signing with us relevant international treaties," Putin said.
"The portfolio of orders is at a consistently high level: over $50 billion," he said.
Russia maintains leading positions on the global arms market despite fierce competition, according to the president.
"Our country continues to occupy the second place on the global arms market, we are ahead of France, Germany, Great Britain among the first five leaders, acting in conditions of fierce competition, and sometimes even facing dishonest behavior by some partners," Putin said.
Russia Ready to Sell Arms to Help Counter Global Terrorism Threat
Russia is ready to sell advanced military equipment, including air defense systems and combat planes, to foreign customers to facilitate the fight against global terrorism, Vladimir Putin said.
"Our country makes a significant contribution to the fight against international terrorism…as more and more countries are facing the surge in violence and growing terrorist threat…Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan are well-known examples," he said.
"We are ready to offer to our customers the most advanced anti-terrorism weaponry…including combat planes, air defense systems, multiple-launch rocket systems and armored vehicles, everything that could facilitate the fight against terrorists, who have managed to form large and well-organized armed units, and often use services of well-prepared specialists…as well as modern weaponry…," Putin stressed.
