During a visit to Tactical Missile Armament Corporation JSC in Korolev (Moscow Region) on May 25, 2024 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the heads of enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.
(c) Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti
Opening remarks at a meeting with the heads of defense industry enterprises
Vladimir Putin: Dear colleagues, good afternoon!
We have been planning this meeting for a long time, we will meet and talk. We have formed a government. We are now building work in this area as a whole. I think it's time for us to get together and check our watches.
Today we will discuss a range of issues related to the prospects for the development of the Russian military-industrial complex, including how the supplies of the most in-demand weapons and equipment are going. I would like to note that most enterprises fulfill the tasks of the state defense order on time, efficiently, and in a number of positions - even ahead of schedule.
It is important to continue to increase the rhythmic provision of modern, high-tech weapons and equipment to the Armed Forces. These are unmanned aerial and ground-based complexes, high-precision weapons, electronic warfare and counter-battery warfare systems, various types of communication for stable and continuous control and other nomenclature.
You know very well that our volumes have increased recently - over the past one and a half to two years, during the special military operation. From 2021 to 2023 - these figures are constantly changing, they are growing - the growth was more than 22 times in rocket and artillery weapons, 15 times in electronic warfare and reconnaissance, 14 times in ammunition and weapons of destruction, seven times in cars, and individual protection armor protection - six times, for aviation equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles - four times, for armored weapons - almost 3.5 times.
It's a good pace, a lot of volume. I want to thank you and your teams for coping with such tasks - large-scale tasks.
As I have already noted before, it is important to build an effective economy of the Armed Forces today. We all understand that with such expenses, the economy of the Armed Forces, which is part of the economy of the whole country, must be built accordingly so that every state ruble works effectively. And not only effectively for the needs of the Armed Forces, but in general would fit into the economy. I'll talk about it later.
Today, of course, I would like to hear how contracts with enterprises are being concluded, advances and the process of planning the state defense order itself, whether there are any problematic issues that have not yet been resolved.
I made a number of decisions that were supposed to increase efficiency and speed up the repair and restoration of combat capability of weapons and equipment, so that it could return to the combat zone as soon as possible. I would like to ask you to report today on how this work is organized.
It was also instructed to accelerate the introduction of modern technologies and innovative solutions for continuous improvement and improvement of the tactical and technical characteristics of weapons and equipment, taking into account the experience of their combat use.
I would like to emphasize again: we must always be one step ahead, we must be ahead of the enemy all the time, and then victory will be guaranteed. You know yourself. Your specialists and you yourself are in contact all the time with those of our guys who are working on the line of contact, fighting, not sparing yourself, defending the interests of Russia. As soon as we are at least half a step ahead, that's it, the efficiency increases many times, just a few times.
It is also necessary to use the resources of the so-called national defense industry more effectively. To provide an opportunity for further development, to increase production, and to adopt some of the most effective samples in an accelerated manner.
And finally, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the issues of diversification of defense enterprises are not removed from the agenda - this is what I just talked about - the development of civilian high-tech products. The solution of this systemic problem is extremely important for the optimal use of the industry's production potential, for securing promising personnel. In general, to increase the stability of defense industry organizations, their sustainable development, and a solid economic and financial base for the long term.
Over the previous years - I really mean years: not one and a half or two years related to the conduct of a special military operation, but over the years - we have built the structure of the defense industry accordingly. The enterprise, the corporation where we are located, was established in March 2003, and in 2002 decisions were made related to the reconstruction of the entire military-industrial complex. The corresponding decree was signed in 2002. Here we are when we started. And then there were six enterprises, today there are 56.
We will talk, perhaps, in a working manner, then about further improving the structures necessary to ensure and enhance the state's defense capability.
