Moscow and Athens are drafting a contract for the delivery of 420 Russian light-armoured infantry vehicles to Greece, Russia's state-run weapons exporter announced Monday.

Rosoboronexport said the deal would involve "brand new" BMP-3M infantry vehicles. No other details were provided.

"At the beginning of 2008, the Greek ministry of national defence submitted a formal request for the delivery of these vehicles," Rosoboronexport said in a statement.

"The inter-governmental agreement and the corresponding contract are being prepared for their signature," it said.

Greece had decided in December to purchase 450 Russian tanks over 15 years for 1.2 billion euros (1.63 billion dollars), according to the Greek defence ministry.

The Russian firm's announcement came as a weapons trade show, Defendory International 2008, was set to open in Athens on Tuesday.