Arms supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan possible – arms exporter

28 Jan, 2010 12:11 / Updated 14 years ago

Russia is ready to supply weapons to Iraq and Afghanistan if there is an order from the US purchasing committee, according to Russian arms exporter’s head, Anatoly Isaikin.

“This is American taxpayers’ money and arms supplies to these two countries are carried out through the US purchasing committee,” Isaikin said, adding that “if there’s a decision on that and there’s money, then there will be supplies.”

“There have been big worries in the West that Russia could become a major provider of technology for Iran. As far as I understand, Russia now is supplying, probably, 85 per cent of imported military goods to Iran. But I would say that – and Russia stated that – it’s providing only defense technologies, like air defense systems,” said Viktor Mizin from Moscow State University department of International Relations.

It was earlier reported that Afghanistan and Iraq Armed Forces are interested in purchasing Russian choppers.

The top arms trade official also mentioned that Russia still considers Iran a valuable customer. This follows a delay in supplying Iran with S-300 air defense systems.

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