Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday hailed the growth of his country's arms exports, saying Russia has already become one of the world's key weapons producers.
"The consecutive annual growth of Russia's arms exports prove that Russia has become one of the leading weapon producers of the world," he said in a congratulatory letter for the opening ceremony of an international arms fair in Nizhny Tagil, a city on the eastern flank of the Ural Mountains that is considered the home of Russia's weapons industry.
A total of 463 Russian companies, as well as those from 11 foreign nations are exhibiting hundreds of pieces of military equipment and parts in a forested range near the once-secret city located some 1,500 km east of Moscow.
Following the opening session, dozens of military weapons, including the T-80 and T-90 tanks, the major tanks of the Russian army, armored personnel carriers, howitzers, Su-27 fighter jets, Mi-24 military helicopters and military trucks conducted firing and maneuver practices that were applauded by the audience, mostly local residents.
The four-day exhibition also features civilian facilities, such as tractors, trucks, forklifts and fire engines besides military weapons, regional governor Edward Rossel said.
Official statistics show that Russia exported arms worth 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, ranking second behind the world's top weapon exporter, the United States.
Source:Xinhua
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