President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues, veterans, friends,
I congratulate you on this notable date: the 60th anniversary of the Military-Industrial Commission. Thank you for your outstanding and very responsible work, for your contribution to accomplishing the most important, without any exaggeration, strategic tasks.
As I said, I would like to repeat my special words of appreciation to the veterans, all those who were there at the outset of the MIC, fine-tuning its complex, wide-ranging work.
During different historical eras, you created, strengthened and safeguarded the domestic defence-industrial complex, the great potential that continues to serve Russia’s interests to this day.
Today, the Military-Industrial Commission addresses key issues of developing the defence industry, providing supplies to the Army and the Navy, and ensuring close collaboration between the Armed Forces, enterprises in varied sectors, design bureaus and research centres. All this requires a profound understanding of the nature of current and future challenges in the defence and security sphere and development trends in science and technology, as well as an ability to find effective and grounded solutions.
And of course, it is essential to pay special attention to working with people, with personnel, doing everything to ensure that young, well-trained specialists come to defence industry enterprises and ensure the continuity of professional traditions.
As you know, we are moving ahead with the new 10-year State Armament Programme, including the experience in using our arms and equipment during the successful antiterrorist operation in Syria.
It is necessary to efficiently organise and continue this work in the future, ensuring the practically 100-percent fulfilment of the state defence order, and such indicators have been achieved in recent years.
In addition, the defence complex has been tasked with expanding the production of high-tech, export-oriented civilian and dual-use goods – I have just said this at a brief meeting with veterans and young specialists – by 2030, these goods should account for half, 50 percent of the total.
The Commission should take these plans into consideration in its work, achieving high-quality, well-balanced and efficient development of the country’s defence-industrial complex, which, it may be recalled, comprises over 1,300 enterprises and organisations that employ 2 million specialists in varied fields.
As it was just said, in recent years, the defence complex, defence industry enterprises have been modernised and significant amounts of money have been invested: 3 trillion rubles. These are serious resources and it is crucial to make sure that they work to good effect.
Three years ago, the Military-Industrial Commission had it status significantly upgraded and as its chairman, I hope that your work will continue to be result-oriented, serving Russia, reliably protecting the national interests, life and security of our citizens.
I certainly wish you success, health and all the very best to you and your families and loved ones. And of course, let me wish you a happy New Year. All the very best. Thank you for your work.
I have to continue working according to my schedule. I would like to wish you a good, pleasant evening. All the very best!