Good afternoon, colleagues.
We are holding our latest regular meeting of the Commission
for Military Technology Cooperation.
I propose that we discuss the current situation in this sector
and outline our next steps to discuss the military
technology cooperation system.
Let me start by noting that competition on the global arms and military
equipment market has become noticeably more intense of late,
though this was always quite a competitive sector really.
Our defence industry companies have felt this change,
and this year have encountered instances of unfair competition from
some Western countries and companies.
It is doubly difficult to work under politically motivated sanctions,
of course, but this is not a unique situation.
At the same time, Russia is continuing to develop its cooperation with
foreign states in the military technology sector.
Our companies now have a very solid orders portfolio worth
more than $50 billion.
We meet our obligations to our foreign partners consistently on time
and to the required quality standards.
We have already fulfilled 70 percent of planned deliveries
for this year, as of October 1.
We have also continued our import replacement programme
in the defence sector.
Russian producers are becoming less dependent on foreign components.
In short, our defence industry exporters are confirming
their reputation of reliable partners.
It is essential, of course, to continue filling the order books in this
sector, and develop our cooperation,
especially in joint production of military equipment and training
foreign specialists to service and repair this equipment.
To do this, we need to make maximum use of the opportunities presented
by the big international salons and exhibitions and demonstrate
the most advanced models our country produces in this sector.
In 2015, delegations from more than 60 countries in the Middle East,
Africa, South America, and Central,
South and Southeast Asia visited events of this kind held in Russia.
Talks with foreign buyers resulted in major contracts signed
for aviation and armoured tank hardware,
and also air defence systems.
The MAKS-2015 salon alone resulted in contracts for a total of more
than 350 billion rubles.
Of course, we must work now to not just consolidate our position with
our key partners, but also to take more active measures to promote our
products on regional markets, offer flexible payment options,
launch inter-sectoral projects and offer modern logistics
support schemes.
I think it essential too that we analyse the experience of other
exporter countries in the military technology cooperation sector
and borrow their best practices,
so as to ensure that in the current environment,
we keep up our level and quality of cooperation with
countries in all parts of the world.