The message reads, in part:
“We are rightly proud of the Russian workers, engineers and designers whose creative genius produced unique and worldwide renowned models of weapons. The names of such talented gunsmiths as Pavel Zakhava, Sergei Mosin, Georgy Shpagin and Mikhail Kalashnikov will forever remain in the heroic military history of Russia.
Today, defence industry development is one of the state’s priorities. We are improving its scientific and research support, developing and implementing the most advanced technology. The training programmes for defence industry professionals are being greatly enhanced.
I believe that all of you will continue to work hard to achieve performance targets and strengthen the country’s defence capability and national security.”