Russia, China sign Defence co-operation protocol
Wednesday, December 17 2003 20:59 Hrs (IST)
Moscow: Russia and China today (Dec 17, 2003) signed a Defence co-operation protocol under which
Beijing will buy $ 2 billion worth of Russian arms and weapon systems and technologies next year.
The protocol signed by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and his visiting Chinese counterpart
Gen Cao Gangchuan at the end of the regular session of the Sino-Russian Commission, sets the
detailed schedule for Defence interaction between Beijing and Moscow in 2004 to bring them closer to
30-70 ratio between serially produced weapons and prospective Defence technologies.
"In the year 2004 the amount of new contracts stipulated in the protocol and ongoing contracts would be
equivalent to $ 2 billion," ITAR-TASS reported quoting Deputy Defence Minister Mikhail
Dmitriyev.
"China occupies the number one place in Russia's foreign military-technical co-operation and will retain
this place in year 2004," Dmitriyev said.
According to local media, Russia and China are all set to boost co-operation in sensitive Defence areas
including joint research and development of new weapon systems and their supply to third countries, a
privilege so far enjoyed by India.
PTI
|