11 Russian companies participate in Indo Defense 2008

11 Russian companies participate in Indo Defense 2008 (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - November 20, 2008: Eleven Russian defense companies will exhibit 450 types of weaponry at a biennial arms exhibition in Indonesia, the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said on Wednesday. Indo Defense 2008 Expo & Forum, which follows similar events in 2004 and 2006, opened on Wednesday to host over 500 exhibitors from 40 countries until Saturday. "The Russian companies will present models and information on 450 types of export weaponry, including Su-35 and Su-30MK2 multirole fighters, Mi-35 attack helicopters, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, T-80 and T-90 main battle tanks, and BMD-3 airborne infantry fighting vehicles," the service said in a statement. By participating in the exhibition, Russia is hoping to strengthen military-technical ties with traditional partners in the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia. In an April 2003 treaty, Russia and Indonesia established the principles for their mutually beneficial cooperation, which is a priority of Russia's multi-faceted policy in the Asia-Pacific region. Moscow and Jakarta have developed close military-technical cooperation in recent years. In 2003, Indonesia bought two Su-27SK Flanker fighters, two Su-30MK Flanker fighters, two Mi-35P Hind attack/transport helicopters, and six Mi-172 Hip multi-purpose helicopters, as well as armored personnel carriers and Kalashnikov assault rifles. Russia's state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, announced on November 12 it had signed deals to sell six Su-30 fighters and 18 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to Indonesia, and in 2007, it signed a contract on the design and construction of Project-20382 corvettes for the Indonesian navy.