Vladimir Putin’s opening address:

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the International Aviation and Space Show, MAKS-2011. This event was launched in 1993, and has since become a major international platform, where producers can display their achievements of the last two years while aficionados of air and space technology can acquaint themselves with the achievements of the international aviation and space industries.

This year the attendance at the show has reached a record high, with 842 companies from 40 countries. This is a very impressive figure, one that demonstrates that interest in the Moscow show is constantly growing. And of course, for the hundreds of thousands of people who are interested, as I’ve already mentioned, this is an excellent venue to get a sense of what is going on in this area. This can be particularly interesting for the younger generation, because it is here that many of them discover their dreams.

In developing the Russian aviation and space industries, we fully understand that our achievements in this sphere do not merely reflect the prestige of our country, important though this is. They also ensure our defence capabilities and our national security, and create the conditions necessary for the country’s modern economic growth and technological advancement. Perhaps the key here is to create new opportunities for the self-realisation of the people. This is where the latest technology is being developed, where fresh and interesting ideas are introduced and new challenging and high-paid jobs are generated. It is here that the demand for capable minds and hands is taking shape.

I’m pleased to note that the Russian exposition at MAKS is growing with each passing year. Today Russia is displaying a range of new models of modern civilian and combat aircraft, as well as spacecraft.

On display at the air field of the legendary Zhukovsky Airport are the Sukhoi SuperJet-100 and the operational trainer Yak-130, the multi-purpose “generation four plus” fighter, the global navigation satellite system GLONASS, and the concept model of the Rus spaceship. I’d like to emphasise that the PAK FA fifth generation fighter, a promising air system of front-line combat aviation, will take part in the flight programme for the first time.

These achievements of contemporary Russia reflect the labour of our specialists, who are reviving and developing the best traditions of the Russian aircraft and space industries.

The government will continue to support our aerospace complex, which is an absolute strategic priority for us. From 2009 to 2011 the government allocated more than 270 billion roubles towards programmes in the aviation and space industries. Our country has become fourth in the world in annual expenditures on space exploration.

I’d like to note that even during the crisis and the downturn in the economy, we have not cut a single air and space programme, despite the familiar global and national economic difficulties. We financed all programmes in full, and without missing a beat.

The missile industry deserves a special mention. As distinct from other production industries, it registered absolute growth and, in general, supported the national economy.

Russia is resuming its programmes on the exploration of planets in our solar system, and is developing its orbital complex, including the GLONASS global navigation system. Our designers are actively developing the mid-range MS-21 aircraft with a composite wing, as well as the Mi-38 and Ka-62 advanced helicopters. The large-scale production of the Russian-Ukrainian AN-148 aircraft, with different modifications, has been launched.

We have completed the consolidation of our aviation industry and I believe this is extremely important. I must honestly say that this has been long and grueling work but, thank God, we have completed it. All enterprises and plants that are part of the integrated structures now have clear prospects for future development. We’ll focus foremost on the technical modernisation and re-equipment of production lines and research institutions. We will enhance their efficiency and competitiveness and will help our companies enter global markets. We are certainly open to close cooperation with our partners, and indeed, this cooperation is developing quite successfully. We are prepared to form alliances and establish joint ventures with leading world producers.

And of course, for our development goals, we require a powerful intellectual and technological centre. As you know, here in Zhukovsky, we have decided to set up a centre for the national aircraft industry, which will include leading research institutions, design bureaus and experimental plants. This centre will form the basis of the innovative core of the domestic aircraft industry. We hope for it to become a world-class research and production cluster containing the necessary educational, social and transportation infrastructure.

We have already started developing transportation facilities and have taken modest steps in this direction – a road and two bridges have been built. This is only the beginning. I hope by the next air show, MAKS-2013, there will have emerged a new headquarters building of the Russian United Aircraft Building Corporation (UABC), along with other facilities of the national aircraft industry centre that we are envisioning. In addition, I consider it expedient to create a museum of aviation history here in Zhukovsky.

In conclusion, I’d like to note that today’s show is particularly special, as it is taking place in the same year as the 100^th anniversary of our aircraft industry and the 50^th anniversary of Yury Gagarin’s space flight. With this in mind, I’d like to wish MAKS-2011 the very best success.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you all the best. Thank you.