Russia Nears Deal To Sell Air Defense Systems to Egypt
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, CAIRO
Posted 04/27/05 11:24
www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=811786&C=mideast

Russia is close to a deal to sell an air defense system to Egypt, the head
of Russia's top arms exporter said in Cairo on April 27.

"Negotiations on the sale of anti-aircraft defense systems are nearing their
end," said Sergei Chemezov, head of the Rosoboronexport arms enterprise, who
is accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin on a trip to Egypt.
Russia and Egypt are to develop their "traditional cooperation in the
military and military-technical domains, given bilateral interests and
international engagements," said a joint statement issued by Putin and
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Ahead of the visit, Putin advisor Sergei Prikhodko said Egypt was interested
in buying aviation equipment and anti-aerial defense missiles.

Prikhodko said Russia was having trouble breaking into the Egyptian market
because it is controlled by the United States, adding that "Egypt needs
these weapons."