Vladimir Putin’s address:

Colleagues, a Presidential Decree establishing  a new corporation, Rosoboronexport, was signed ten years ago, or more precisely on November 4, 2000. I’d like to congratulate the management and all the employees of Rosoboronexport on this anniversary.

The establishment of this company has allowed us to make an inventory of everything going on in the defence industry and trade in armaments and materiel.   We have been able to get rid of an inefficient duplication and scattering of efforts.   It has helped us to reduce costs and, in contrast, substantially raise the competitiveness of our weapon manufacturers and enhance the positions of Russian enterprises on global high-tech markets. I mean weapons, first of all, although Rosoboronexport is dealing with other special equipment, too.

Over the course of ten years, Rosoboronexport sold more than $60 billion worth of armaments. The annual growth, which is a very important indicator, amounted to $500–700 million of sales. Since 2000, Russia’s arms exports have grown by almost 150%. They have also expanded geographically. Today we are cooperating with 85 countries of the world. 

I would like to emphasize that Rosoboronexport’s activity, like Russia’s military-technological cooperation in general, is proceeding in strict conformity with Russian legislation and international law as well as with the non-proliferation regimes now in effect. We fully consider all potential risks for security in the regions where we are exporting arms and are very careful to the established balance of forces there. We never take action that could upset such a balance. This position is a matter of principle for us; we have been guided by this and we intend to be in the future.

Rosoboronexport’s portfolio is now estimated at more than $30 billion. I want to emphasize this: this figure is underpinned by specific contracts, understandings and agreements. The money earned is a serious source of support for the federal budget. All of us remember very well that during the hard times of the 1990s and early 2000s arms exports helped our defence industry to preserve its core. They were instrumental in retaining personnel, in promoting new products and in developing new arms and military equipment. Of course, they helped a great deal in implementing large-scale re-armament programmes for the army and navy.

I am confident that the company will be able to expand the scope of its work and reach new goals. There are some challenges as well, including a higher quality of products, improving the post-sale service maintenance of equipment, as well as a substantial upgrade and modernisation. We should also ensure the reliable protection of Russian intellectual property rights. We have to oust unfair competitors from the markets, those who are trying to misappropriate the rights to our weapon brands. And one more thing – it is necessary to overcome any obstacles and employ flexible tactics in order to promote our high-tech products to international markets. We must preserve and strengthen our leading position here.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the company’s management and everyone working in the defence industry again on this anniversary, and wish you all success.