India will remain Russia's “client No.1” in arms for years
23 Sep 2011
Moscow: India will continue to be Russia's largest strategic partner in military-technical cooperation ''for years ahead'', the head of Russian state arms exporter has said.
"India, China, Algeria, Vietnam and Venezuela are our leading partners," CEO of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin told the Kommersant daily.
India is "client No.1" for Russia "for years ahead," he added.
Underlining the long term military- technical cooperation that both nations had embarked upon, he said Russia was taking part in various projects, including joint R&D and joint production.
According to Isaikin, Russia was currently bidding for 20 tenders floated by India. "Winning at least half of these tenders is huge luck for any state."
He admitted that the failure of the MiG-35 in the 126-aircraft MMRCA tender was "extremely unpleasant and sensitive" for Russia.
Isaikin also expressed confidence that Moscow would retain its leading position in the Indian arms market in spite of entry of new players like the United States.
