President Vladimir Putin has seen Russian troops repelled by a smaller force in Ukraine. Still, he says many Russian weapons are tactically and technically superior.

On Monday, Putin opened an annual military forum outside Moscow that showcases Russia's latest military innovations. "The weapons of particular interest are prospective models and systems that are future-oriented and will determine the future of our armed forces," he said.

Putin said those models are years, even decades, ahead of their foreign counterparts. He thanked producers for supplying the army with modern weapons that "work for the victory."

Putin said Russians cherish their ties with their allies in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. He said they're ready to offer their partners small arms, armored vehicles, and aircraft that have been tested in combat.

Western analysts say Russia's struggles against a smaller adversary could undermine the sales pitch.