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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, foreign guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome all the participants and guests of the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum.

This is a major forum which attracts high representatives. Held for the tenth time, it invariably enjoys a lot of attention on behalf of specialists, experts and media outlets from across the world.

We appreciate this attitude and have been doing everything to support it, since we treasure our partnerships and are committed to developing them by working together with others in order to ensure equal and indivisible security and build a new, fairer multipolar world order.

We can see that our commitment to promoting constructive cooperation has resonated with others who were sincere and proactive in their positive response. This year, dozens of countries sent their high-level delegations to Russia, led by heads of their defence agencies. Over 120 foreign companies registered to take part in the event.

In addition to this, we offered several foreign exhibitions an opportunity to set up their stands at the forum.

In fact, this forum prides itself for this inclusive and truly international scope, our mutual commitment to dialogue, as well as its packed business programme.

Of course, the forum’s agenda includes grand-scale presentations of the most advanced and largely unique and unrivalled achievements of Russia’s defence manufacturers and its leading, internationally acclaimed corporations. This includes over 240 export versions of weapons, as well as all kinds of military and specialised hardware.

Let me emphasise that many of Russia’s advanced, unique and innovative solutions have already proven their worth on the battlefield. Moreover, we improve their basic performance all the time. Designers, engineers, scientists and teams working at defence manufacturing plants have been proactive in their efforts to take into account the combat experience we acquired during the special military operation.

It is also essential that small businesses, the civil society and patriotic organisations, as well as a massive volunteer movement and the people of Russia in general have all gone to great lengths and have been proactive in supporting the defence industry in the interests of the Russian Army and Navy.

Priorities in terms of these joint efforts include modern gear, communications, protection and electronic warfare means, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

During this forum, about a hundred scientific and business events will be held on these and many other topical matters dealing with military development, military strategy and combat tactics.

Friends,

The Army 2024 forum offers a very packed and detailed programme. It focuses on its target audience, which consists of military professionals. I have no doubt that this event will help strengthen the existing ties and forge new ones by signing mutually beneficial contracts with Russia’s Defence Ministry and defence industry enterprises.

It can also enhance the effectiveness of our cooperation with our close and friendly countries on security matters and in terms of defending our national interests.

I wish the participants in this forum every success and all the best.