During the opening ceremony Monday of Russia’s Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum, Moscow’s trade minister suggested Western sanctions have made the Russian defense industry stronger. 

Despite the event being scaled back due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the trade event has drawn delegations from eighty-three countries—including thirty-nine countries whose delegations are headed by top defense officials and chiefs of the general staff.

“National expositions and individual stands of defense industry enterprises of friendly countries have been formed by four states: Belarus, Iran, India and China. Representatives of more than 120 foreign companies are taking part in the forum,” the Russian Ministry of Defense announced via a statement to TASS.

Moscow has managed to retain close ties with New Delhi and Beijing, despite the simmering hostility between those two Asian nations, while Russia and Iran have become de facto allies.

The arms industry trade show hosted by the Russian Ministry of Defense has been held every year since 2015. This year’s scaled-back forum runs from August 12-14.

Stronger by Sanctions

During the aforementioned opening remarks, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov told attendees that more than 1,000 Russian companies were taking part this year. He praised the domestic industry for their “love for the country, devoted work and professionalism.”

Alikhanov put a positive spin on the sanctions Moscow has faced since it launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“It’s safe to say that Russia’s defense industry has managed not only to withstand enormous sanctions pressure but also to grow even stronger, demonstrating its ability to achieve the most difficult goals. The entire exhibition at the current forum is another example of that,” said Alikhanov. “The display features all the advanced weapons that have proved effective in the course of the special military operation. Those include tactical, air defense and anti-tank systems, cutting-edge artillery weapons of various caliber, multiple rocket launchers, close combat weapons, electronic warfare systems, multi-role drones and many other things.”

Russian president Vladimir Putin also delivered remarks during the opening ceremony. He further lauded the Russian defense industry and the hardware used in the war.

“Let me emphasize 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 defense manufacturing plants have been proactive in their efforts to take into account the combat experience we acquired during the special military operation,” Putin told attendees. 

The Russian leader said he hoped the Army 2024 forum would help Russia solidify its relationships—or at least sell its wares to foreign buyers.

“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,” Putin suggested. “I wish the participants in this forum every success and all the best.”

About the author

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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