Russia to sell T-90C tanks to Algeria, TurkmenistanFebruary 14, 2012 - 19:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has signed contracts to sell 120 T-90C tanks to Algeria and 30 to Turkmenistan, Vedomosti business daily reported on Tuesday, February 14 citing sources in the arms industry. The contracts, which follow earlier defence contracts with the countries, would be worth at least $500 million, defence analyst Konstantin Makiyenko told the newspaper. Russia signed the contract with Algeria in autumn 2011 and the contract with Turkmenistan in summer 2011, Vedomosti reported, citing a source close to the arms export agency and a manager at state corporation Rostechnology. The Arab Spring protests last year triggered unrest in Algeria and led its president to pledge reforms. The energy-rich ex-Soviet state of Turkmenistan on Monday reelected its strongman President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with over 97% of the vote. Russia earlier supplied Algeria with 185 T-90C tanks in 2009 and supplied Turkmenistan with 10 tanks to fulfil a 2010 contract, the newspaper reported. The new contracts would make Russia the world's largest tank exporter in 2012, beating China, said the editor of Moscow Defence Brief, Mikhail Barabanov. Last year Russian army chief Alexander Postnikov complained to the Russian Senate about the high cost of the new T-90 tank model, saying that he could buy three German tanks for its price of 18 million rubles ($600,545), AFP reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |