Israel will sell Russia spy drones

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Israel's decision to sell $400 million worth of unmanned spy drones to Russia will help contain Iran's nuclear program, an official says.

Israel Aerospace Industries will sell the drones to Russian arms maker OPK Oboronprom in the next three years, and the unmanned aerial vehicles will be assembled in Russia, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

"This is a huge step toward deepening cooperation between IAI and Russian industry. This agreement will also strengthen the bilateral relationship between Israel and Russia," the two companies said in the statement.

Russia agreed to purchase drones costing $50 million in 2009, the report said.