MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's foreign currency receipts from arms exports this year will be record-breaking, Mikhail Dmitriyev, deputy defense minister and chairman of the Committee for Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign States, has announced.
"This year we are reaching the highest indicators in export deliveries of arms and military hardware," he said at a Wednesday Golden Idea awards ceremony in Moscow.
He did not specify the sum, but added that it would be announced at the beginning of 2004.
Dmitriyev said the government arms trader Rosoboronexport was far beyond any competitors in delivery volume. In the past few years it has been responsible for 80% to 94% of total deliveries.
He said other arms exporters also have a high potential of up to USD1bn a year.
He said the system of military-technical cooperation is steadily advancing and boosting sales.
Dmitriyev said that 14 arms manufacturers have the right to export components and offer maintenance service.
"We will take a short break to analyze their performance," he said, adding that the Sukhoi aircraft-making holding company and Salyut aircraft engine-maker were the leaders in this respect.