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Russia, China hold first ever joint naval maneuvers

MOSCOW -- In an unprecedented exercise, Russian and Chinese warships are scheduled to participate in joint naval maneuvers, beginning Saturday.

The Russian Pacific Fleet destroyer Burny and missile cruiser Varyag are scheduled to visit the port of Shanghai on Oct. 2-6, ITAR-TASS newswire reported. The two Russian vessels will participate in joint exercises with warships from China's Eastern Fleet.

The maneuvers are "another step towards strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding" between the two countries, Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo said.

China and Russia have been steadily accelerating military trade relations to the extent that China has become the top client for Russia's military business, purchasing billions of dollars worth of jets, missiles and submarines.

Russia's 956E export destroyer will be delivered to China this November.

Russian military sources also announced that the Shkval torpedo will be offered for export and that Malaysia may procure Be-103 amphibians. Seoul is considering Moscow's submarine sale proposal. Additionally, the Scorpion missile boat was demonstrated abroad for the first time and the Admiral Ushakov cruiser will be upgraded. Other developments include the new Merkury high-speed air-cushion boat.

Russia continues to develop and manufacture new armaments, aircraft, tanks and missiles, among them advanced aircraft being developed in Lipetsk, where EMZ has started development of M-60 reconnaissance aircraft and the Pilotless Tu-243.

Russian military sources report that the Igla hypersonic flying lab is paving the way to future aircraft and military officials are developing a new scheme of repaying Russia's debts to Ukrainian aircraft builders.

New developments in space programs include the Soyuz booster that has put two Globalstar spacecraft in orbit and the Proton booster, LMI-1 communications spacecraft launched from Baikonur. The space programs have been transferred from Baikonur to Plesetsk.