Vladimir Putin said Russia earned more than $15 billion from defence exports in 2025 and fulfilled all military-technical contracts despite what he described as growing pressure from Western countries.

Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s commission on military-technical cooperation in Moscow on Friday, Putin said Russian military products were delivered to more than 30 countries over the past year.

"Despite all these attempts, our export contracts were generally fulfilled reliably. Russian military products were supplied to more than 30 countries last year, and foreign exchange earnings exceeded $15 billion," he said.

Putin said the results create additional opportunities to modernise defence industry plants, expand production capacity and invest in advanced scientific research. He added that many facilities also manufacture civilian products.

The Russian leader said the defence industry’s stable operation was largely made possible by state support measures and that further assistance will be introduced under a new federal project on military-technical cooperation for 2026–2028.

He added that military export volumes are expected to rise significantly under Russia’s 2026 plan, which is set to be reviewed and approved.

Putin also pointed to Africa as a key region for future growth, saying African countries remain willing to expand military and military-technical cooperation with Russia despite Western pressure.

The comments come as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and faces sweeping Western sanctions aimed at restricting its access to technology, financing and defence-related components. Moscow says it has redirected trade and defence partnerships toward countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East while sustaining its military operations and domestic arms production.

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