The Dubai Airshow 2025 is poised to become a defining moment for Russia’s global arms export strategy as ROSOBORONEXPORT prepares to showcase the largest number of full-scale weapon systems ever presented by Moscow at an international defence exhibition. The unprecedented display underscores Russia’s ambitions to deepen its military-industrial presence in the Middle East amid intensifying global competition across airpower, missile systems, UAVs, and electronic warfare — sectors contributing to a global defence market projected to surpass USD 800 billion within the next decade.
ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC, part of the Rostec State Corporation, is leading the unified Russian national exhibit, featuring a vast 1,000-square-metre pavilion at the Dubai World Central venue. The scale of the exhibit reflects a deliberate international push by Moscow to reinforce its status as one of the world’s top arms exporters, even as it faces sustained Western sanctions and geopolitical pressure.
Russia’s national exhibit integrates products from nearly every major entity in its defence-industrial complex, including United Aircraft Corporation, United Engine Corporation, the Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (KRET), Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, and the Tactical Missiles Corporation. According to ROSOBORONEXPORT, more than 850 defence products will be showcased, with over 30 full-scale systems displayed on static stands — the largest number of real-size weapon platforms Russia has ever brought to a foreign airshow.
“The Dubai Airshow is a global platform where trends in the aerospace and defence industries are shaped. In 2025, ROSOBORONEXPORT will showcase more than 850 Russian products — highly intelligent systems capable of dramatically enhancing our partners’ defence capabilities,” said Director General Alexander Mikheev. “We will hold talks with delegations from the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions regarding supply contracts and technology cooperation.”
The star attraction of Russia’s presence will be the long-anticipated Middle Eastern debut of the Su-57E, the export version of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter. Its participation in the airshow’s flight demonstration program is expected to draw strong interest from Gulf and North African militaries seeking next-generation airpower alternatives to US and European platforms.
The timing is strategic. Nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Algeria, and Egypt are actively pursuing advanced fighter technologies and exploring options that reduce dependence on Western supply chains. Russia plans to differentiate the Su-57E by offering not only acquisition packages but also technology transfer and production localization, a pitch aimed at countries seeking to develop their domestic aerospace industries.
“Today, Russia is the only country offering not only the supply of fifth-generation fighters but also the localization of Su-57E production on the territory of a foreign customer,” Mikheev noted. Such industrial partnership packages — involving licensed assembly, avionics integration, or joint propulsion projects — could exceed USD 5–7 billion, depending on the scope of cooperation.
On static display, the Su-57E will be accompanied by its full internal weapons suite:
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RVV-MD2 short-range missile for high off-boresight engagements
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RVV-BD extended-range missile capable of interceptions beyond 200 km
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Kh-38MLE and Kh-69 precision strike missiles designed for low-observable deep-strike missions
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Grom-E1 guided bomb
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Kh-58UShKE anti-radiation missile for SEAD/DEAD missions
Russia aims to position the Su-57E as a versatile multi-domain strike platform capable of contesting Western dominance in the fifth-generation fighter market, long dominated by the F-35A.
Beyond fifth-generation fighters, Russia will display a broad portfolio of combat aircraft and helicopters tailored to diverse mission roles.
The IL-76MD-90A(E) heavy airlifter will be showcased in a full configuration. With a payload capacity of 60 tonnes over 4,000 km and an optional President-S self-protection suite, the aircraft targets markets prioritizing strategic mobility, disaster response, and airborne deployment. Pricing is estimated between USD 50–60 million.
Marking its world premiere, the Yak-130M — an advanced evolution of Russia’s light combat trainer — will also be unveiled. Equipped with an integrated radar, new avionics suite, targeting pod compatibility, the President-S130 EW suite, and expanded precision-guided weapons capability, the Yak-130M is being pitched as a cost-effective multirole fighter solution in the USD 25–30 million category.
Also participating in the airshow’s flight display is the Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopter, renowned for its combat performance. Russia will exhibit advanced air-to-surface munitions:
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Kh-MD multipurpose missile
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Kh-38MLE guided missile
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305E lightweight guided missile
Russia will further introduce the next-generation Item 177S turbojet engine, part of its broader effort to modernize propulsion technology across tactical and strategic aviation platforms.
Unmanned systems will form one of the most heavily promoted segments of Russia’s exhibit. With global demand for loitering munitions alone expected to exceed USD 8 billion by 2030, Russia aims to strengthen its presence in a rapidly expanding market.
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Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 reconnaissance UAVs
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Skat-350M ISR drone
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Lancet-E loitering munition
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KUB-2-2E loitering munition with autonomous guidance
The Lancet-E, in particular, is being highlighted for its “extensive combat experience,” with Russian officials emphasizing its demonstrated effectiveness against armour, artillery, radar installations, ammunition stores, and logistics hubs.
The Orlan series — known for affordability and modular ISR capabilities — is expected to appeal to customers in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia seeking battlefield surveillance systems without the price tag of Western alternatives.
For the first time in Dubai Airshow history, Russia will present full-scale air defence systems, signalling a push to expand its footprint in the global integrated air defence domain.
Leading the display is the Pantsir-SMD-E, an advanced surface-to-air missile and gun system capable of defeating UAVs, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. Its modular launcher design supports either:
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up to 48 TKB-1055 short-range missiles, or
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up to 12 57E6 missiles, or
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a mixed configuration
Complementary systems include:
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Dzhigit MANPADS launcher
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Verba MANPADS
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SKVP airspace control system optimized for low-RCS drone detection
These systems place Russia in direct competition with Western and Asian suppliers such as Raytheon, MBDA, Israel Aerospace Industries, Diehl Defence, and China’s NORINCO. Combined demand for global air defence solutions is forecast to reach USD 50 billion over the next five years.
Technology Transfer and Localisation at the Heart of Russian Strategy
Beyond equipment sales, Russia is preparing for an extensive round of business negotiations centred on long-term cooperation formats such as:
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technology transfer
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joint development
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industrial localisation
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co-production agreements
“We’ll focus on technology cooperation — the most in-demand format of cooperation in the world today,” said Mikheev. “We will discuss both successfully implemented projects and promising new ones related to the products presented at the airshow.”
This approach reflects the changing priorities of militaries in the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, many of which increasingly prefer sovereign defence production capabilities over traditional foreign procurement.
Strategic Implications
Russia’s expansive participation at the Dubai Airshow 2025 signals more than commercial ambition. It marks a long-term strategic effort to reposition itself within the global defence ecosystem through a blend of:
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competitive pricing
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combat-proven platforms
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modular system design
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and technology partnership frameworks
As geopolitical alignments shift and demand for self-reliant military ecosystems grows, Russia is aiming to present itself as an adaptable and technology-sharing defence partner — particularly for countries seeking alternatives to the Western-dominated supply landscape.
With its largest-ever international showcase, Moscow is positioning Dubai Airshow 2025 as a launchpad for a renewed global export push designed to secure market share, strengthen diplomatic ties, and reinforce Russia’s role as a key defence supplier in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
