Russia to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria

Russia’s MiG aircraft maker said on Friday it plans to sign a new agreement to ship at least 10 fighter jets to Syria, a move that comes amid international criticism of earlier Russian weapons deals with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

MiG's director general, Sergei Korotkov, said a Syrian delegation was in Moscow to discuss the details of a new contract for the delivery of MiG-29 M/M2 fighters. In remarks carried by Russian news agencies, he said Syria wants to buy "more than 10" such fighters, but wouldn't give the exact number.

The significance of his comments was unclear. A MiG spokesman wouldn’t comment on Korotkov’s statement, and the MiG chief could be referring to a deal with Syria that apparently has been put on hold amid Syria's two-year civil war.