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Steven Seagal Set To Promote Russian Arms

Steven Seagal Set To Promote Russian Arms

Hollywood action film star Steven Seagal looks set to be the face of a new campaign to promote Russian weapons.

The 61-year-old American appears to be the unlikely choice to boost the country's arms sales as it makes a push to be the world's number one exporter.

Seagal accompanied Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to the Degtyarev gun manufacturing plant in Kovrov earlier.

According to Russian news agencies, Mr Rogozin said the actor may head up an international marketing campaign for the factory.

He said: "You're ready to fight American (manufacturers) with your teeth and your intellect, and if Americans are prepared to promote and support you, that says we're learning new ways to work on corporate warfare markets."

Seagal first appeared on the big screen in 1988 as a CIA agent in Above The Law, and has since gone on to star in more than 40 action films.

Now he seems to be America's latest celebrity diplomat, meeting President Vladimir Putin in March and acting as facilitator for high-level meetings between a US delegation and Russian security officials last week.

Speaking at a news conference afterwards, Seagal reportedly said: "I'm friends with many presidents of many countries."

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute , the US was the largest supplier of major conventional weapons between 2008 and 2012, with 30% of global arms exports.

Russia sits in second, making up 26% of the market, and is keen to take the top spot.

Seagal, who is famed for his firearms and martial arts skills on screen, was recently criticised for his role in training armed school guards in Arizona in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.