Russia may resume arms sales to Iran

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, DEC. 22. The Russian Defence Minister, Marshal Igor Sergeyev, will pay an official visit to Iran later this month in what analysts see as a first step towards a resumption of Russian arms sales to Teheran.

Marshal Sergeyev will sign no defence deals during his visit planned for Dec. 27-29, Defence Ministry sources told the military news agency AVN. However, defence cooperation between the two countries will dominate Marshal Sergeyev's talks in Teheran. Military officials accompanying the Minister will study the Iranian army's defence needs and some large-scale contracts may be signed during the planned visit of the Iranian President, Mr. Mohammad Khatami, to Moscow next year.

Russia announced plans to resume defence cooperation with Iran last month after pulling out of a 1995 secret agreement with the U.S. to halt arms sales to Teheran. Washington warned the move would expose Russia to American sanctions, but analysts said potential benefits from selling arms to Iran and other U.S.- labelled rogue states would outweigh losses resulting from sanctions.

Iran would be willing to spend anywhere from $ 250 millions to $ 500 millions a year on Russian-made arms, according to Mr. Konstantin Makienko of the Centre for Strategic Analysis. Iran is said to be willing to update its arsenals by acquiring Su-27 fighters, Su-25 attack planes, Mi-17 helicopters, as well as air- defense systems ranging from the shoulder-fired Igla to the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system, which can also intercept ballistic missiles.

Russia is also planning to reopen defence supplies to Libya and Syria as part of the President, Mr. Vladimir Putin's new assertive foreign policy.

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