International Military and Naval Exhibition to Be Held in St. Petersburg in Summer

Russia is to host its first international military and naval exhibition in St. Petersburg from June 25 to 29. The exhibition is the main event planned by the Department for Regional Cooperation in 2003. The exhibition was announced at a press conference yesterday by Alexei Slobodyan, the head of the Department for Regional Cooperation of the St. Petersburg Administration's Committee for Economic Development, Industrial Policy and Trade. Experts believe that the exhibition will help to expand Russia's market for military and naval technology and hardware by 25-30%.

75 foreign embassies have already been informed about the exhibition. The main events will be held in the Lenexpo exhibition complex, and a display of warships will take place at the sea port. 15 ships from the Navy and the federal border guards, as well as ships belonging to industrial enterprises have officially confirmed that they will take part. Ships from India and Germany, which were built in St. Petersburg, are also expected. A military air display will be held in Pushkin. Firing displays are also being planned. The closing ceremony will take place on the spit of Vasilievsky Island.