Vladimir Putin speaks at the 10th Congress of the Union of Mechanical Engineers at the National Centre RUSSIA

The 10th anniversary Congress of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event reviewed the organisation’s work over the past five years and discussed its contribution to the development of Russian industry, the defence industry, personnel policy and the country’s technological leadership. The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, took part in the event.

The head of state noted that Russian machine builders had been working in difficult conditions in recent years, while gaining new positions both in the country and abroad. He also emphasised that Russia was committed to mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries.

"As we strengthen our technological sovereignty, we are not going to isolate ourselves. On the contrary, we intend to create and expand mutually beneficial alliances with other states, and to support initiatives by foreign partners that use Russian machines, equipment and technological platforms. This combination of the intellectual and resource potential of different countries, based on mutual respect for interests, will open up additional opportunities for the Russian research school, industrial enterprises and the service sector, which I have also already mentioned," said Vladimir Putin.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov read out an address to the delegates and guests of the congress from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and spoke about the industry’s key achievements.

"Established in 2007, your public organisation has brought together representatives of the professional community and enterprises from different regions of Russia. Throughout these years, the Union has played an active role in implementing state industrial policy. It has done a great deal to improve the industry’s competitiveness, investment appeal, productivity and technical equipment. It pays special attention to personnel training, the development of the qualifications system, and the promotion of skilled trades and engineering professions. It is important that you actively engage with public authorities and take part in legislative work," Mikhail Mishustin’s address said.

Photo: Government of the Russian Federation

Denis Manturov, in turn, emphasised that over almost two decades, the Union of Mechanical Engineers had established itself as a strategic partner of the state and an effective advocate for the interests of thousands of enterprises in the real sector of the Russian economy.

"Largely thanks to your efforts, defence industry enterprises increased their total output by 21% last year. We can also see how demand for these products is growing among foreign customers. Despite the clear priority given to supplies for the Ministry of Defence, our revenue from military-technical cooperation reached USD 15 billion in 2025. The current order portfolio is almost five times higher than that figure," the First Deputy Prime Minister noted.

The participants were also addressed by First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Vladimir Yakushev, who read out an address from Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko. Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov noted the importance of systematic cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Union of Mechanical Engineers in carrying out tasks related to technological sovereignty and import self-sufficiency. Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov devoted his speech to the training of engineering personnel, the development of advanced engineering schools, and the integration of science, education and industry.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia and Director General of Rostec State Corporation Sergei Chemezov emphasised in his speech that the past five years had been a period of intensive work for Russian industry amid extremely difficult foreign policy conditions. However, enterprises not only adapted to the new realities, but also confirmed their ability to ensure the resilience of the economy and the country’s defence capability.

"Today, the key task before us is not simply to maintain the result, but to turn it into a sustainable model of long-term development. Industry must remain the foundation of our country’s economic and technological leadership," Sergei Chemezov noted.

He separately highlighted the role of enterprise teams that ensured fulfilment of the state defence order amid a manyfold increase in workload, and thanked the President of Russia for supporting the Union’s initiatives, including the establishment of the title "Honoured Worker of the Defence Industry" and the Order "For Valiant Labour".

First Deputy Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia Vladimir Gutenev read out an address from State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and noted that in recent years the Union had become one of the country’s key expert and public platforms for industrial policy, while its initiatives had formed the basis for a number of legislative and regulatory decisions. A total of 33 specialised structures operate at the Union and State Duma platforms, and the results of their work have already been reflected in industry strategies, draft laws and regulatory decisions.

"The Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia today is not only the country’s largest professional association, but also an effective mechanism for consolidating the industrial community, science, education and public authorities in order to achieve national development goals," Vladimir Gutenev emphasised.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

He also highlighted the need to further improve measures to support industry, increase investment activity in high-tech sectors, develop the engineering personnel training system, and accelerate the introduction of robotics, artificial intelligence and digital solutions into production processes.

A report was also delivered by Deputy Chairman of the Union and Chairman of Bank PSB PJSC Pyotr Fradkov. The main focus was on the financial stability of defence industry enterprises, preferential financing mechanisms, support for industrial cooperation, and social aspects of retaining personnel in high-tech sectors.

As part of the forum, the delegates reviewed and approved the report of the Audit Commission, information on the audit of the organisation’s financial and economic activities, and amendments to the statutory documents.

Following the delegates’ vote, Sergei Chemezov was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia. The participants emphasised his key role in strengthening the organisation’s authority, developing systematic cooperation with public authorities, promoting the initiatives of the industrial community, and consolidating enterprises in the machine-building and defence industry sectors.

The congress was attended by heads of major enterprises, representatives of federal and regional authorities, delegates from the Union’s regional branches, members of the scientific, educational and expert communities, rectors of leading universities, youth leaders and media representatives.