MOSCOW, March 18 (RAPSI) - The State Duma has approved a bill in the second and third readings that will simplify the foreign export of Russian military products for display at international exhibitions.

Currently, there is a list, subject to presidential approval, of Russian military equipment allowed for transfer to foreign customers. Otherwise, the military has to obtain permission from the President to bring any other equipment outside the country.

The new law will grant the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation with the authority to allow the export of military equipment not on the list upon the approval of the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Federal Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service.

“The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has the same powers regarding the military products on the list of equipment allowed for transfer to foreign customers,” the reference documents to the law state. “At the same time, some samples of potentially competitive products are not included in the list of military equipment allowed for transfer to foreign customers, and according to the current laws, the decision on the temporary export of such products must be made by the President. The cabinet of ministers has found that the law will ‘permit Russian defense industry enterprises to expand export opportunities since the information about available equipment will be promptly provided to foreign customers.’”