RUSSIA DEMONSTRATES READINESS TO WORK WITH SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES AT DEFEXPO

NEW DEHLI, February 5, 2004. (RIA Novosti correspondent Valery Sevryukov) - At the Defexpo India 2004 - 3rd International Ground and Naval Systems Exhibition in New Delhi, Russia is demonstrating its readiness to develop cooperation with all South Asian countries, said Yuri Khozyainov, the vice chairman of the Russian Committee on Military-Technological Cooperation with Foreign States, at a press conference on Thursday.

He said that the work of the Russian delegation at the exhibition is oriented toward the development of relations with India. India is Russia's strategic partner in the region.

Mr. Khozyainov said the most important project of this cooperation is the delivery of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier with MiG-29K carrier-based aircraft to India. The contract for the carrier and the aircraft was signed in New Delhi on January 20th during the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Russia is also supplying India with T-90S tanks and Su-30 MKI aircraft, licensing India to produce the tanks and aircraft as well as working with India to develop a long-range early warning radar complex.

Russia and India have shown interest in new forms of cooperation like joint development of new types of arms and equipment, he noted.

Indian experts also take part in R&D.

Mr. Khozyainov said a good example of such cooperation is the development and production of missile complexes with an anti-ship missile, the creation of which is nearing completion.

Thirty-four Russian enterprises displaying over 250 samples of military products are taking part in the exhibition, said Yuri Khozyainov.