United Arab Emirates could buy more weapons and military equipment from Russia 2102131

At IDEX 2013, Russian defence industry exhibits two main products, the modernized T-90C tank and the BMPT tank support fighting vehicle with the nickname of Terminator -- from the defense contractor Uralvagonzavod were attracting significant levels of interest at the show.

Russia is also ready to offer the United Arab Emirates license-production of ammunition for BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles previously sold to the country, said Pribor defense firm chief Oleg Chizhevsky.

“About 700 BMP-3’s have been delivered to the UAE; naturally, there is high demand for those shells and we are ready to meet it in any form, in any format,” he said at the IDEX-2013 international arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi. He did not specify which ammunition was being discussed.

The Emirates is no stranger to Russian arms manufacturers -- earlier this year it placed orders for Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft artillery and missile batteries made by KBP of Tula, Russia.

The gun-missile systems combine a wheeled vehicle mounting a fire control radar and electro-optical sensor, two 30mm cannons and up to twelve 57E6 radio-command guided short-range missiles.

The Emirates was the largest importer of arms in the Middle East from 2007-11, with its total volume of annual purchases soaring by 153 percent in 2011 to 1.4 billion units, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported.

Analysts say the emirates are using more of their oil riches to buy weapons as a counter to perceived threats from Iran -- only 35 miles away across the Straits of Hormuz and well within range of Iranian missiles.