After watching the cultural programme on and the demonstration of a special detachment, Sargsyan toured the exhibition.

ArmHiTech -2018 aims to become an effective platform for dialogue between the military, scientific and business circles of the participating countries. According to the organisers, both Armenian and foreign organisations, including those from Russia, India, Germany, Italy, France, China and other countries are participating in the expo. Sargsyan studied the products of Armenian and foreign companies.

A scientific-practical programme is also planned with participation of delegations from over 10 countries in additions to the CSTO delegation.

Defence Minister Vigen Sargsyan and CSTO Deputy Secretary Gen. Valery Semerikov made speeches at the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Minister Sargsyan said in particular: "Innovative and high-tech projects in the defence industry have played a special role in the development of science and industry in Armenia in recent years. In a short period of time, modern military products have been developed and provided to the Armed Forces; you can see one of them in the pavilions of this exhibition. The development of defence industry is among the priorities of our country's economic development. The state programme of military industry development for 2018-24 has already been adopted. Its main goal is to invest in the production of high-tech military hardware and devices to enter foreign markets. I am confident that ArmHiTec -2018 will become a platform for effective dialogue between the scientific and business circles of the participating countries, as well as a stimulus for further expansion of international cooperation."

Then CSTO Deputy Secretary Gen. l Valeri Semerikov welcomed the participants and noted that he was pleased to see representatives of the organisation’s military industry as well as delegations from Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, India, China, Poland, France and other countries at one place. "In the context of modern challenges, often taking shape of terror, it is an imperative to provide the Collective Security Treaty member states with modern armaments. The solution to this problem is largely dependent on the development of the military industry of each country."

The thematic list of the exhibition includes the whole range of weapons and military hardware practically used in addition to innovative and high-precision weaponry, battle control systems, communications systems, automated control systems, robotic systems, drones, flying machines and systems, anti-drone technologies, detection, searching and scanning tools, precision weapons, laser technologies, optical-electronic equipment, air defence systems, radio-surveillance devices, anti radio-electronic systems, outfit and other thematic sections.

In addition to extensive display, ArmHiTec 2018 will also host a wide range of business programme, scientific discussions, sessions and roundtables, which will give an exceptional opportunity to meet and consult with leading security experts and discuss issues.