LANGKAWI /Malaysia/, March 22. /TASS/. Russia’s 2017 arms exports will significantly exceed last year’s figures, the director for international cooperation and regional policy at Russia's defense industry conglomerate Rostec said Wednesday.
"The Rosoboronexport portfolio currently stands at $45 billion, enough to keep defense industry enterprises busy for three years. In 2017, there will be more contracts than in 2016," Viktor Kladov, who heads the joint delegation of Rostec and state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, told reporters at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia.
According to the official, Russia's plans for this year include a major defense contract with Indonesia and a multibillion contract with India to build four Talwar-class frigates.
"The contract to deliver the frigates depends on how quick the negotiations will proceed, and they are under way. Notably, a series of serious meetings with Indian partners has already taken place. Under favorable conditions, the contract will be signed this year," he said.
Two of the frigates are planned to be built in Russia and two - at one of India’s shipyards under a license.
"The Indian partners are choosing a shipyard, there is a kind of competition. We are waiting for an official confirmation by the Indian side," he said.
Russia also plans to sign a contract to produce 200 Ka-226T small twin-engined utility helicopters in India, Kladov said.
"A planned contract to supply 48 multipurpose Mi-17V-5 helicopters to India is also scheduled for signing this year," Kladov added.