The message reads, in part:
“This year marks the 355th anniversary of the Russian state shipbuilding sector. Its history began after Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich signed a decree on building the first ship Orel (The Eagle), and after Peter the Great established the regular Russian Navy. The sector continued to develop through the professional achievements of many generations of talented scientists, engineers, designers, weapon-makers and workers.
It is gratifying to note that modern shipbuilders are carrying on the work of their predecessors in a worthy manner, and that they are making a huge contribution to strengthening the country’s industrial and defence potential, developing and building unique, advanced surface warships and submarines, high-tech civilian ships as well as marine facilities for studying and developing the World Ocean resources. The sector’s successful development was largely made possible through consolidation of scientific and production resources within the United Shipbuilding Corporation that marked its 15th anniversary earlier this year.”