Demonstration of defense potential

"Over the past year, the forum has become a global event, and took the place on a par with the leading international exhibition of arms and military equipment", said the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at Army 2016 Forum opening ceremony. He stressed that since 2015, when the forum was held for the first time, the Patriot exposition and cultural center has changed and gained new infrastructure. Army 2016 demonstrates the significant potential of the military-industrial complex of Russia. The largest corporations, companies and design offices present here their best military equipment, which will soon be made operational by the troops", emphasized the head of the Defense Ministry. "Russian armament showed its effectiveness time and again," - said Sergei Shoigu, adding that "the military operation in Syria proved itself".

More than 80 countries sent military delegations to the forum. "I am confident that our foreign colleagues will be able to once again confirm the high reliability of Russian weapons", - hopes the minister. The fact that the forum is an ideal platform for "direct communication between Russian and foreign designers and manufacturers of military and dual-use production", was mentioned by the minister at a separate meeting for strengthening military co-operation, which took place on the first day of the event. Army 2016 Forum "will contribute to a constructive exchange of views of the defense departments’ representatives and scientific-industrial complex of the exhibiting countries", - stressed the head of the Defense Ministry.