Russia and Israel are negotiating a joint project to build an unmanned aerial vehicle, according to the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. “We are negotiating with Israel. Our aim is to persuade them to start technological cooperation and to develop a product that will be used in both countries, and could also be sold to third countries,” Rogozin has said.

Russia will no longer buy ready-made weapon systems from the West but is only interested in new technology, sad Rogozin, who is responsible for Russia’s militaryindustrial complex. “Technology should be attracted by localising production on Russian territory.”

In mid-May a source in the Russian defence industry said Moscow may buy a large new consignment of unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel and 24 command and control systems worth around $50 million in the foreseeable future.

Israel Aerospace Industries previously delivered to Russia two Bird Eye-400, eight I-View Mk150 and two Searcher Mk.2 UAVs, totaling $53 million.