Belarus offers to replace Ukraine as Russia's military equipment supplier

Minsk, July 11 (IAND) Belarus has offered to replace Ukraine in Russia's military equipment supply chain, media quoted a Russian official as saying.

Minsk has voiced its intent to sell Russia some 1,500 units of military and dual-purpose equipment, Oleg Bochkaryov, deputy head of Russia's Defence Industry Commission, told reporters here Thursday during the ongoing MILEX 2014 defence technology expo.

Russia was eager to forge closer ties with the Belarusian defence industry, Xinhua cited Bochkaryov aas saying, adding that Russia could buy not only components but also finished products from Belarus.

Russia does not intend to sever ties with Ukraine's defence industry, "but such severance may take place", said the official.

In that case, it would take Russia three years to fully replace Ukrainian military equipment suppliers with manufacturers in other countries, he said.