Franco-Russian relations received another boost here yesterday with the signing of two more major agreements, but an "imminent and wide ranging" deal between Sukhoi and Dassault failed to materialise.
The week began with a cooperation agreement between EADS, MBDA, Sukhoi and Rosoboronexport. Announcements from Sukhoi of co-operations with SAGEM and Thales followed.
Prompted by pre-Iraq war discussions between presidents Jacques Chirac and Vladimir Putin and subsequent meetings in St Petersburg, relations between the two countries have become increasingly close. The French Minister of Defence recently visited Moscow. Governmental will to see closer links has translated into commercial reality.
Sukhoi, Russian defence technology sales company Rosboronexport and avionics company Technocomplex Corporation inked an agreement on upgrades of existing Sukhoi aircraft and modernisation of future deliveries of SU-27 aircraft. Announcing the deal Mikhail Pogosyan, director general of Sukhoi, said: "This agreement is in line with our well-established cooperation with the leading French firms. It will allow us to further the scope of our interaction and to offer new products for future customers."
The deal with Thales will see avionics installed in existing SU27 aircraft in service in India and Malaysia among others.
Source: Flight Daily News
