MOSCOW. Oct 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Kolomna design bureau (KBM) outside Moscow is expected to increase production by about threefold due to an increase in its exports, KBM General Director Nikolai Gushchin has told Interfax.
"We have exported several hundred Igla shoulder-fired missile launchers to India. The contract was concluded in early February 2001 and fulfilled in July. The contract was worth several tens of millions of dollars," Gushchin said.
"A month ago, we concluded another contract with India and will export several dozen training missiles for the earlier purchased launchers to that country," he said.
The contract is intended for three months (September to November), he said, adding that although it is not large, it is of special importance as India initiated it.
He said that KBM has concluded profitable contracts with other countries, as well, and exports Igla and Dzhigit launchers, control systems for Strelets launching modules and other military equipment "to many countries, excluding those to which weapons cannot be exported under international agreements."
KBM has the right to export its output through the Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport and on its own. "We have signed an agreement with Rosoboronexport which clearly defines all these issues. This allows us to coordinate our actions and work more efficiently," Gushchin said.