TRIPOLI, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday that Russia has five ongoing contracts with Libya in the sphere of military cooperation.

"The contracts involve military equipment for the Ground Forces and the Navy, including the modernization of T-72 tanks, and the general supply of spare parts for the above-mentioned branches of the Armed Forces," said Alexander Mikheyev, deputy general director of Rosoboronexport.

Mikheyev, who is heading the Russian delegation at the LAVEX-2009 air show in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, said Libya has already provided guarantees on payments under at least three contracts.

"We are also participating in a Libyan tender on the delivery of aircraft and air defense systems," he said.

According to the official, the Libyan military wants to have only the most advanced military equipment because neighboring countries, including Egypt, have recently bought new weaponry and strengthened their defense potentials.

Rosoboronexport General Director Anatoly Isaykin earlier said that Russia had signed two arms deals with Libya in 2009 and was working on new contracts for the supply of Russian weaponry to the North African nation.

The 4th Arab-African Aviation Exhibition and Conference - LAVEX-2009 - runs October 5-8.