Yemen is expected to sign a more than one billion USD contract with Russia for purchasing a range of Russian arms and military technology and systems, a Russian official said on Thursday.

Igor Korotchenko, head of the Center for Analysis of Global Arms Trade Think Tank, said Yemen is largely interested in Russian arms and military technology.

'Yemen, one of Russian arms clients, wants this time to buy, first and foremost, 30 multi-role MIG-29SMT fighters; Mi-35 attack helicopters, Ka-52 helicopters and Mi-17 transport helicopters; T-72 and M1 tanks; a Kornet-E anti-tank missile system; 20 smirch multiple-launch rocket systems; and BMP3 armored personnel carriers.'

Yemen also intends to set up an air defense system based on S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems and buy naval technology including speedboats, he said.

The naval technology will be used to fight maritime piracy off Yemen, he said, pointing out that the arms will never affect the balance of forces. However, they will help stabilize the region, he concluded.

The contract is expected to be signed during the visit of President Saleh to Russia.

He arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for a few-day visit and has held talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The talks dealt with the bilateral relationship and ways of boosting cooperation in all areas, with a focus on the military, security and trade ties.