UK Regulator Behind Ban on Russian Military Aircraft at Farnborough Airshow

Britain's regulator Export Control Organization (ECO) has imposed restrictions on Russian participants of the international air show, one of the organizers of the event said in a comment to RIA Novosti.

READ MORE: Russia to Showcase Military, Civilian Products at 2017 Paris Air Show — FSMTC

She stressed that the organizers of the event are following instructions issued by ECO, an organization that is part of the Ministry of Trade and Innovation when it comes to the EU embargo on the import of weapons and military equipment to and from Russia.

"We welcome all exhibitors, Russian or otherwise, that fall within these ECO guidelines. Being a major international showcase, Russian participation is really important," she noted.

She added that Russia's participation at the Farnborough defense show is very "important," saying that in 2016 the show saw a significant number of Russian companies, including Ilyushin, Irkut, Rostek, Sukhoi and Russian Helicopters. However, all the Russian equipment presented at the Farnborough show was of a non-military nature, due to the strain in the relations between Moscow and the Western nations.

Moscow's ties with the Western nations sharply deteriorated in 2014, when Crimea reunited with Russia following the so-called Maidan events in Ukraine. In 2014 and 2016, Russia faced difficulties in participating in this exhibition. Three years ago, almost half of the Russian delegation was denied UK visas and therefore unable to enter the country.

The Farnborough Airshow is one of the largest events of a kind. The next exhibition is scheduled for July 16-22, 2018.