KABUL - Russia sold a record $15.16 billion worth of weaponry in 2012 while expanding its foreign client list, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service (FSMTC) reported on Monday.

“The export volume of military products reached $15.16 billion,” news agencies quoted Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Chief Alexander Fomin as saying. “Our plans have been fulfilled by 111.8 percent.”

Fomin said that figure was only “tentative estimates” and final sales figures would be released later this month or in early February.

Russia reported arms sales of $13.2 billion in 2011, enough to maintain its position as the world’s second arms exporter after the United States, Ria Novosti reported.

“In the past ten years, we have seen a general increase in exports, which have tripled since 2003,” Fomin said.

He said Russia’s new list of 2012 clients included Ghana and Oman, as well as Tanzania.

“The portfolio of orders for defense-related products has also tripled. Its current value exceeds $46 billion,” he added.

India is the leading purchaser of Russian arms, with Myanmar,Vietnam, Venezuela and Middle East countries also among the Russian defense industry’s main clients. (KP)