Russian arms exports to exceed $10 billion in 2010

Russia's arms exports are expected to hit an all-time high of over $10
billion in 2010, the head of Russia's state-run arms exporter
Rosoboronexport said on Thursday, RIA Novosti reports.

In 2009 Russian arms sales were worth $8.5 billion, including $7.4
billion worth via Rosobornexport.

"Rosobornexport currently exports several thousand military products,
expanding arms sales by $500-$600 million each year," Anatoly Isaykin
told a news conference on the 10th anniversary of the company.

Rosobornexport's portfolio of export orders is estimated at $40
billion, Isaykin said.

Despite constantly expanding arms exports, Russia faces increasing
competition on the international arms market from the United States,
Germany, France and the United Kingdom as well as Chinese military
expansion.

Russia exports weaponry to over 100 countries.