MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the leader of Brunei will discuss trade, energy and military cooperation at talks in Moscow on Thursday, a Kremlin source said.
The sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, arrived on a five-day official visit to Russia on Monday and met with Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport officials for discussions on the possibility of future arms purchases from Moscow.
"At the forthcoming talks, the heads of state intend to pay special attention to further enhancing interaction in different spheres," the source said.
According to Russian experts, bilateral trade could in three-five years reach $50-75 million. Last year the figure stood at $0.8 million, mainly accounting for Russian exports.
Rosoboronexport expressed the hope on Wednesday that it could initiate military cooperation with the sultanate of Brunei.
Bolkiah was given a multimedia presentation of Russian-made air defense systems and was shown a Ka-52 attack helicopter in action. He also visited a training center for special forces units, and watched a demonstration of spetsnaz tactics.
Rosoboronexport has not yet received any orders for the delivery of military equipment to Brunei, a former British colony in southeast Asia, although the Russian company exhibited a variety of military export items during a special presentation in Brunei in 2005.
Brunei has a limited military contingent, comprising ground forces, air force and navy, to counter aggression, terrorism and insurgency. The most combat capable force is the Gurkha Reserve Unit, which serves to protect the sultan, the royal family, and oil installations.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces use a wide range of foreign equipment, mostly from Britain, France and the United States.
