On June 6, 2024, ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC (part of Rostec State Corporation) and the Government of the Irkutsk Region signed a general agreement on cooperation.

The event was held during the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The document was signed by Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC, and Igor Kobzev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region.

The Agreement, which updates the earlier document of 2003, defines the basis for cooperation and interaction between ROSOBORONEXPORT and the Government of the Irkutsk Region under new conditions for developing production and technological capabilities of the region's defence companies and increasing exports of military, special, civilian and dual-use products in the course of military-technical cooperation between Russia and other countries.

"The expansion of partnership with Russian regions is a major area in ROSOBORONEXPORT's activities. In particular, we are actively cooperating with the IAZ Irkutsk Aviation Plant (part of the United Aircraft Corporation), a flagship of aircraft industry in the Irkutsk Region. The colossal design and production experience of IAZ aircraft manufacturers, who will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the plant in August, is also in demand abroad: IAZ products have been supplied to 40 countries around the world over the years," - said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT. "Today, this plant is increasing its capacity and implementing projects in the framework of both State Defence Order and the Military Technical Cooperation by modernizing and manufacturing the latest Su-30 multifunctional fighters and Yak-130 training (combat training) aircraft. Since 2001, a total of 400+ Su-30s and Yak-130s have joined the Air Forces of a dozen countries, and ROSOBORONEXPORT's current order book includes about 50 such aircraft."

Among the areas of cooperation defined by the signed Agreement are the development of target programs to increase exports, assistance in conducting applied research on the development and production of advanced high-tech export-oriented products and technologies, the development of measures to support organizations involved in military-technical cooperation, including those affected by sanctions from unscrupulous foreign states, ensuring legal protection of the results of intellectual activity abroad and much more.

"The Government of the Irkutsk Region strives to expand the export opportunities of local enterprises, promotes innovative projects to foreign markets, and attracts local organizations to participate in international exhibitions. Of course, this agreement will contribute to the further economic and social development of the Irkutsk Region, which is one of the largest and most promising regions of Russia, with extensive natural resources, scientific, industrial and innovative potential. A large volume of our products in ROSOBORONEXPORT’s order book indicates their high quality and competitiveness of the region's enterprises," - said Igor Kobzev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region.

In accordance with the Agreement, the parties ensure the participation of ROSOBORONEXPORT representatives in meetings of the Government of the Irkutsk Region’s advisory bodies, and representatives of the regional Government – in meetings of ROSOBORONEXPORT’s advisory bodies on issues affecting common interests.