Russian official to promote weapon sales in Brazil, Peru
Iran Press TV
Wed Oct 9, 2013 9:51AM GMT
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu plans to promote Russian arms sales in South America during an upcoming four-day visit to Brazil and Peru.
A delegation, led by Shoigu, is scheduled to visit Brazil to discuss the sale of Russian Pansir-S1 and Igla missile systems, which the Brazilians are reportedly considering to purchase as a key component of its air defense while playing host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup competitions across the huge South American nation, Moscow-based Kommersant daily reported on Wednesday.
The Pantsir-S, according to the report, is a gun-missile system combining a wheeled vehicle mounting a fire-control radar and electro-optical sensor, two 30-mm cannons and up to 12 57E6 radio-commands guided short-range missiles, and is designed to take on a variety of low-flying targets.
The Igla, on the other hand, is a portable, shoulder-held infrared homing surface-to-air missile.
The success of the Russian delegation in securing weapon deals with their Brazilian and Peruvian counterparts will significantly improve Moscow's bid to sell military apparatus worth about USD1.7 billion, the daily added, citing a source in the Russian Armed Forces General Staff.
The report further estimates that a potential deal with Brazil will be worth at least one billion dollars.
In Peru, meanwhile, the Russian defense minister plans to press for the sale of 110 T-90S battle tanks and a similar number of BTR-80A armored personnel carriers, which would cost Lima nearly USD700 million, the report further states.
Peru currently maintains about 300 obsolete Soviet-made T-55 tanks, which Lima reportedly wants to replace with the T-90S.
The Peruvian military, the paper adds, has further expressed interest in purchasing new Russian air defense systems in a bid to replace its Soviet-era Pechora (SA-3 Goa).
MFB/PR
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