Russia eyes new arms markets in Asia-Pacific region

The tenth edition of the biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2009 exhibition started on Tuesday through December 5 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Center in Malaysia.

"We will conduct extensive talks with out current partners and potential customers in the sphere of military-technical cooperation during the LIMA-2009 show," Rosoboronexport Deputy General Director Viktor Komardin said.

Komardin, who heads the Russian delegation at the show, expressed hope that LIMA-2009 would mark a new step in the development of military-technical ties between Russia and Asia-Pacific countries.

According to Rosoboronexport, Russia will traditionally showcase a variety of combat aircraft, air defense systems and naval equipment at the LIMA-2009 exhibition.

The line of combat aircraft includes Su-35 Flanker-E and MiG-35 Fulcrum-F multirole fighters, Yak-130 combat trainer and various models of Mi and Ka helicopters.

Since the mid-1990s, Vietnam has purchased 12 Su-27 and 12 Su-30MK multirole fighters from Russia, while Indonesia has bought five Su-27 and five Su-30MK aircraft, and Malaysia 18 Su-30MKM planes.

Russian-made air defense systems will be represented at the show by Tor-M2E, Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S1 systems.

Russia will also exhibit small and medium displacement surface ships that are in great demand in Southeast Asia, including the Mirage and Mangust patrol boats, the Molniya missile boat, Amur-1650 diesel submarine and Piranha compact submarines.

See www.en.rian.ru