Russia and Egypt clinched a landmark deal in which Moscow is offering to sell Cairo modern helicopters and air defense systems that reportedly worth $2 billion.

Russia and Egypt clinched a landmark deal in which Moscow is offering to sell Cairo modern helicopters and air defense systems that reportedly worth $2 billion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Egypt on Thursday seeking lucrative contracts with the government after the ousting of president Mohammad Mursi.

Lavrov confirmed that military collaboration was discussed in talks between Shoigu and his Egyptian counterpart General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi but gave no further details.

However Mikhail Zavaly, a senior official with Russia's arms export agency Rosoboronexport who will lead its delegation at the upcoming Dubai air show, confirmed Russia wanted to sell military hardware to Egypt.

"Now we are offering Egypt modern helicopters, air defense equipment and the modernization of previously purchased military equipment," he told the RIA Novosti news agency.
"The word is now with our partners," he added.

He did not give further details but Russian daily Vedomosti said negotiations were ongoing about the sale of MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets, low range air defense systems and Cornet anti-tank rockets.

Citing Russian defense sources, Vedomosti said the deals were worth more than $2 billion and could be financed by Saudi Arabia, which was instrumental in the removal of Mursi.