Russia’s military helicopter export to grow 20% in 2013

PanARMENIAN.Net - Export of Russia’s military helicopters is set to rise by 20 percent in 2013, while air defense systems will see a leap in exports of 30 percent, the state arms exporter said, according to RIA Novosti.

Rosoboronexport is expected to export more than 130 combat and military transport helicopters this year, marking a tenfold increase in sales over the past 12 years.

“We exported only 12 helicopters in 2001, while the plans for this year are for over 130 units,” Rosoboronexport representative Mikhail Zavaliy said Friday, Nov 15.

Zavaliy said there had been increased international demand for helicopters, which Rosoboronexport has exploited through successful marketing. “We have managed to substantially broaden our deliveries geographically, including to the Middle East, where our potential is not bad,” he said.

Russia became the world’s second-largest arms exporter after the United States in 2011, generating $11.3 billion in revenues.

In 2012, it exported $15.2 billion worth of weaponry while adding Afghanistan, Ghana, Oman, and Tanzania to a list of foreign customers counting some 80 countries.

Rosoboronexport said Friday that helicopters and air defense systems accounted for 58 percent of Russia’s arms exports last year.