MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's arms and military equipment exports in 2007 could exceed $7 billion, Sergei Ivanov, a first deputy prime minister, said on Monday.

Russia has almost doubled annual weaponry exports since 2000, and some experts estimate this year's sales could far exceed the projected figures.

Sergei Ivanov, Russia's former defense minister, attended on Monday the Golden Idea annual awards ceremony. Eighty people received awards in a total of 16 nominations for their contribution to the development of the Russian military complex.

Mikhail Dmitriyev, the head of the federal service for military and technical cooperation, said the arms exports figure could exceed $7.2 billion.

"We have already crossed the $7 billion mark in exports of weapons and military hardware," he said. "The figure may reach $7.2-7.3 billion, or much more."

Russia exports weapons to about 80 countries. Among Rosoboronexport's key buyers are China, India, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Malaysia and Serbia.