MINSK. Nov 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The Milex 2005 international arms show is to be held in Minsk on May 17-20, 2005, Viktor Shevchenko, head of the project, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
He noted that the show was sponsored by the State Military Industrial Committee, the Belarussian Defense Ministry, the Belarussian Industry Ministry, and the Belexpo National Exhibition Center.
The show is expected to see participation of over 60 Belarussian enterprises and companies, including Agat, BelOMO, the Minsk-based Wheeled Hauler Plant, the Minsk Car Plant, Peleng, the 140th Repair Plant, Minotor-Servis, Tetraedr, he said.
"Specific weapon systems and materiel to be displayed at the show will be determined later, but Minotor-Servis has already agreed to display modernized BRDM reconnaissance fighting vehicles, while Agat is to demonstrate improved shoulder-fired air defense systems.
Shevchneko also said that a firing range outside Borisov would host a practical demonstration of weapons' capabilities within the framework of the show, which would undoubtedly increase the interest in the show.
According to him, Milex 2005 will traditionally see participation of Russia, represented by Rosoboronexport, Ukraine, and Moldova, as well as Poland, China, and a number of Middle East and African countries.
"The sponsors of the show hope that delegations from Algeria, Turkey, the UAE, Syria, Peru, and Libya, which have already visited Belarus before, will be joined by delegations from other states," Shevchenko said.