Russia and French military manufacturer Panhard are in talks over the purchase of light armoured vehicles, the Center for the Analysis of the World Arms Trade has said.

“Negotiations are being held on [the purchase of] 3.1t light armoured vehicles ‘vehicule blinde leger’ on a 4×4 wheel platform,” the military think tank added.

The contract could be for 500 vehicles, worth $260m, for use by the Federal Security Service border guards.

The Panhard is a fully amphibious light armoured vehicle, offering protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments, mines and NBC weapons.