"Teheran and Moscow are to review ways to enhance military cooperation
during an upcoming visit to Russia by the Iranian defense minister," Iran's
semi-official Fars news agency said.
The Moscow-based Interfax news agency reported that Najar arrived in the
Russian capital on late Feb. 16. Interfax said the focus of Najar's visit
would be the procurement of the S-300 long-range air defense system.
"Najar is planning to meet with Rosoboronexport officials and will
visit a defense plant," Interfax said. "The implementation of a contract
for the supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, prospects for signing
new contracts and post-sale maintenance for the already supplied 29
Tor-M1 anti-aircraft systems promise to be at the center of Najar's visit."
Russia has been deemed the leading military supplier of Iran. Officials
said Iran has demanded technology transfer and coproduction in any deal with
Moscow.
Officials said Moscow has been pressing hard for major arms sales to
Iran in 2009. They said the Kremlin sees Iran as a major market in plans to
increase Russian defense exports to $8.5 billion over the next year.
"Despite the financial crisis, we are planning to boost our arms exports
in 2009," Russian Federal Service on Military-Technical
Cooperation deputy director Alexander Fomin said.
