Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear today that he hoped a RM3.4 billion deal to sell warplanes to Malaysia would prompt more sales in the region.

"With the delivery of the Sukhoi, hopefully it will promote Russian aviation technology to Southeast Asia," Putin said at the launch of the Malaysia-Russia Business Council here.

The centrepiece of Putin's first visit here is the signing of an agreement to supply 18 Sukhoi Su-30MK fighter jets to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.