Over 400 Russian companies set to join MAKS-2009 air show

MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Over 400 Russian companies will participate in the MAKS-2009 air show outside Moscow on August 18-23, the Federal Service on Military and Technical Cooperation said on Tuesday.

"A total of 436 Russian organizations have filed applications for the air show, including 120 enterprises that will feature military products. Overall, 1,449 exhibits will be on display, including 470 full-scale models," the service said.

MAKS bills itself as "a demonstration of the advantages and development trends of Russian science and industry in such high-tech areas as aviation, space, missile engineering."

According to its English-language website, "It is also a good opportunity to prove the high potential of our facilities, to establish new partnerships and make mutually beneficial deals."

More than 500,000 people are expected to visit the MAKS-2009 air show, the organizers said on Monday.

"More than 500,000 people visited MAKS-2008 and about the same number will visit this year - or maybe even more," said Pyotr Katsyv, chairman of the MAKS-2009 organizing committee.