Almotamar.net, Saba - Yemen, Russia sign $billion-worth arms deal

Well-informed Yemeni official sources said Thursday that the visit's outcomes of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to the Russian capital Moscow were significant and would enhance bilateral relations and the areas of cooperation between Yemen and Russia, especially at the economic, trade and investment levels as well as the military level.

"The most important result of President Saleh's successful visit to Moscow is the signing of a Russian-made arms and military equipment deal, including land, sea and air military equipment in order to enhance the defense capability of Yemen in the fight against terrorism and piracy", said the sources.

Pointing out that the cost of the contract amounted to $1 billion, the sources said that the deal included a number of MiG-29 fighter jets and offensive and military transport helicopters, in addition to modern (T-80) and (T-72) tanks, (BT R 80) armored vehicles, cutters, modern telecommunications and other military equipment and supplies needed by Yemen's army and security forces to carry out their tasks and duties in the field of defense and security and combating terrorism and piracy.

For the economic and investment side, the talks held by President Saleh with Russian officials included the possibility of generating 3000 MW of electrical power of BOT power and exploring for oil, gas and metals by Russian companies.

"A number of Russian companies stated willingness to invest in Yemen in these areas and the implementation of a number of projects in the fields of dams, irrigation, gas pipelines, railways, fishing and cement industry", added the sources.

The February 24-26 visit, the first to Moscow by President Saleh since 2004, is the second leg of Saleh's international tour, which was started with a trip to Syria last Monday. He also visits Tajikistan and Indonesia.

Saba