The President said, in particular, in his message:
“We established this professional holiday as a worthy tribute to Russia’s many generations of skilled armourers. Their labour and talent have produced unique weapons and forged legendary professional traditions that have stood the test of time. The names of Georgy Shpagin, Sergei Mosin, Fedor Tokarev, Vasily Degtyarev, Mikhail Kalashnikov and other outstanding designers are deservedly engraved in our country’s heroic chronicles.
Developing and modernising the defence industry is one of our top national priorities today. One of our main tasks in this area is to train skilled personnel and develop and spread the use of advanced technology in the sector. I am sure that, drawing on your predecessors’ rich experience and the great professionalism of our scientists, engineers, and specialists, you will achieve the set objectives and provide our armed forces with the most modern weapons, and our country will strengthen its position on the international arms market.”
The Armourers’ Day was established as a professional holiday at the end of 2011, and is marked annually on September 19.