The President opened the salon by making a brief speech which emphasized Russia's readiness to cooperate as closely as possible with its foreign partners in the aerospace industry.
After demonstration flights, President Putin examined the pavilions of the largest aviation companies, and familiarized himself with the latest developments in Russian and foreign aviation technology and weapons systems.
Mikhail Pogosyan, General Director of the company “Sukhoi,” showed the head of state a model of the fighter Su-27SM. At the company's booth, Mr Putin was informed about RRJ, a Russian regional plane, which will fly for the first time in the spring of 2007.
At MAKS-2005, President Putin also examined the piloted, multiple-use spacecraft “Clipper,” whose first flight is scheduled for the beginning of the next decade. “Clipper” is a result of the symbiosis between Russian aviation and space missile industries. This spaceship is the creation of the Rocket and Space Corporation “Energia,” and “Sukhoi.”
Mr Putin also examined the stand of the “China Great Wall Industry Corporation,” which unites developers and manufacturers of aerospace equipment from the People's Republic of China.
President Putin was then shown the products of the Russian “Tactical Missiles Corporation.” In particular, the President was shown the high-speed, antiship missiles X-31A and X-31P.
At MAKS-2005, in the presence of the Russian head of state, “Russian Defence Exporters” and the Indian corporation “HAL” signed a contract regarding the licensed manufacturing of the “AL-55I” aircraft engine, which will take place in the corporation's facilities. The contract covers all stages of work from the development of the new aircraft engine up until its mass production and export.
The President supported the project to found a specialized, international exhibition and demonstration centre in Zhukovsky, and to apply the law on special economic zones.