Asia-Pacific states Russia's leading partners in military-technological cooperation - Defense Ministry
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka. Nov 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Countries of the Asia-Pacific regions are leading partners for the Russian Defense Ministry in terms of military-technological cooperation, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov has said.
"The quality of Russian weapons has been confirmed many times in practice. It is not accidental that countries of this region are our leading partners in military-technological cooperation. They include India, the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Indonesia," Antonov said in Colombo on Thursday, speaking at the first conference of the Dialogue of Defense Ministers of South and Southeast Asian nations.
Up to 3,000 foreign servicemen study at universities of the Russian Defense Ministry today, he said. Citizens of Asia-Pacific states, including Afghanistan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China and Myanmar, account for more than one half of the entire number of foreign students studying at these universities, he added.
In the past few years, the Russian Armed Forces have made an enormous breakthrough in their development, combat readiness and mobility, the deputy minister said.
"The most advanced military hardware has been provided. The level of combat training of officers and soldiers has improved dramatically. In this context, I would like to repeat the words of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who has said more than once that our political doctrine is of an exclusively defensive nature. Its main task is to maintain the sovereignty and peace of our country and our citizens," Antonov said.
The successes of the Russian Armed Forces' modernization have already won worldwide recognition, he said.
"We see genuine interest in our reforms on the part of countries of South and Southeast Asia. We are ready to share our experience," Antonov said.
