Russian technology at the 2025 Dubai Airshow
A Su-57E fighter with an open internal cargo bay. Photo by UAC.
The Dubai Airshow, aerospace exhibition, recently took place in the United Arab Emirates. As usual, Russian industry represented one of the largest exhibits. State-of-the-art developments across a wide range of categories were on display, including aircraft and helicopter technology, unmanned systems, aircraft components, and more. Some of the exhibits have reportedly already attracted interest from foreign customers.
Russian exposition
The Dubai Airshow, held in the UAE every two years, is one of the largest events of its kind in the Middle East. It consistently attracts the attention of manufacturers. aviation technicians and potential customers, and also helps them find each other.
The Russian aviation industry and related sectors traditionally represented one of the largest exhibits at Dubai Airshow. Various companies, with the support of Rosoboronexport, once again showcased developments across all major categories to potential customers, from full-scale prototypes to individual components.
Forpost-RE UAV. Photo by UZGA
This year, all key areas were once again covered. Russian industry displayed several modern aircraft in the form of real prototypes and mockups, including those of greatest interest to customers. Modern UAVs and airborne weapons were also on display.
It is reported that some of the presented samples have already been exported, and the products are being successfully shipped to customers. Other products have attracted interest from buyers, but so far only preliminary orders have been received. Contracts are expected to be signed later, possibly at a future exhibition.
Aviation equipment
Russian industry presented several modern aircraft of various types in Dubai. Predictably, the exhibition's visitors were most interested in the latest Su-57E fighter jet in its export version. This aircraft recently began its tour of international exhibitions and was shown for the first time in the Middle East.
The Supercam S180 advanced UAV. Photo: European Defence Review
Military personnel from various countries, including those considering purchasing these aircraft, have had the opportunity to get to know them better. Perhaps they will now draw conclusions and make the right decisions. Furthermore, at the Dubai Airshow, the management of the United Aircraft Corporation announced that the first export Su-57s had recently been delivered to the customer.
The Yak-130M combat trainer is being shown to foreign specialists and military personnel for the first time. The basic version of this aircraft is well known abroad, and now a heavily modernized version has made its way to the exhibition. After modifications and improvements, the aircraft retains all pilot training capabilities. At the same time, its weapons-carrying and weapon-use capabilities have been improved—both for training and combat use.
The Ural Works of Civil Aviation has unveiled its advanced UTS-800 trainer aircraft abroad for the first time. It is designed for initial flight training and addresses all the specifics of such work. Furthermore, the use of exclusively Russian-made components and assemblies is cited as a key advantage.
Unmanned direction
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) consistently attract the attention of potential buyers. Russian industry offers a wide range of developments, both completely new and based on existing products.
An intriguing new development of this kind is the Forpost-RE UAV from UZGA. This is an export version of the existing reconnaissance and strike drone Forpost-R. This time, the discussion was not only about localizing production but also about refining the design and onboard equipment to meet international market requirements. Various payload options were demonstrated alongside the UAV mockup.
The Unmanned Technologies Group unveiled a new UAV in the Supercam series. The S180 is similar to existing UAVs, but has several key differences. While smaller than the production S350, it carries an increased payload of up to 5 kg. Furthermore, its maximum flight speed has been increased.
Engine "177S." Photo by Rostec.
Zala Aero once again showcased the Lancet-E unmanned strike system to potential customers. Models of four different kamikaze drones from the system were brought to the exhibition. This is the first time the infrared-guided version of the UAV has been demonstrated abroad. Also new is the upgraded launcher.
Units and components
The Russian exhibit at Dubai Airshow included a variety of aircraft components, including engines, electronics, and more. Support systems supporting flight operations and combat use were also on display for the first time.
A model of the 177C turbojet engine attracted considerable attention from visitors. This engine is designed for next-generation fighters and boasts improved performance. However, the possibility of retrofitting existing aircraft equipped with other engine types is not ruled out.
SM-100 engine. Photo by UEC
Another interesting new development is the SM-100 turbojet engine. It was developed as a modern, improved replacement for the older AI-225-25, boasting improved technical and operational characteristics. The promising engine is proposed for use in the development of new aircraft or in the modernization of existing ones.
The Radioelectronic Technologies concern presented its new Arbalet-AM airborne radar system for the first time at an international exhibition. This system is designed for installation on various types of aircraft and helicopters. It features a number of important innovations that improve performance and enhance protection against interference.
Russian industry showcased not only aircraft instruments but also support equipment. For example, Ruselectronics unveiled the NKVS-27 ground-based airborne communications system for the first time. It creates a unified information space for data exchange, transmission of orders, and more. This system significantly improves the key performance indicators and combat effectiveness of aircraft.
Aircraft Armament
Rosoboronexport and defense industry companies delivered mockups of a wide range of modern Russian aviation munitions to Dubai. Products of all major classes and various types, including the latest ones, are on display.
Demonstration of the NKVS-27 complex in operation. Graphics by Rostec.
Interestingly, this year Russian air-to-air weapons weren't only on display on the ground. As part of a flight demonstration, the Su-57E fighter demonstrated its internal weapons sling. In its cargo bay, beneath closing doors, were brightly painted Kh-59UShKE missiles.
Several years ago, a new guided air-to-ground missile, the Kh-UAV, was developed for domestic unmanned aircraft. It has already been demonstrated in action, and last year, it made its debut at an exhibition. Now, this product has been showcased abroad. Rosoboronexport's exhibit included the missile itself and its transport and launch container.
The Kh-MD-E air-launched cruise missile is also being demonstrated abroad for the first time. Moreover, the existence of a third modification of this missile was revealed for the first time at Dubai Airshow 2025; previously, only two were mentioned in promotional materials. The different versions of the missile differ from each other in their guidance systems.
Product X-MD-E. Photo by European Defense Review
All missile variants fly to their target using satellite and inertial navigation. The Kh-MD-E1 then begins searching for the target using a semi-active homing head, the E2 uses an active radar and television seeker, and the E3 has an infrared and passive radar seeker.
Modern weapons, including those currently in active use by combat aircraft, were on display in mock-up form. For example, the Kh-69E was on display. Taking into account regional specifics, the mock-up was given a distinctive paint scheme—a gray-green upper surface and a standard gray lower surface with a pixelated transition between them. Like other export missiles, the Kh-69E has a range of 290 km.
Air defense
Traditionally, Russian industry showcases a wide range of air defense systems at exhibitions. This time, products and models of various classes, from man-portable systems to full-scale systems, including the most advanced developments, were delivered to the UAE.
The main exhibit of this type was the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system. This modular system is suitable for installation on various platforms. The module on display includes the necessary radars and launchers for various missile types. At the exhibition, the SAM system was displayed with a mixed ammunition load.
The Kh-69E missile in a "Middle Eastern" livery. Photo by European Defence Review.
The exhibition also included mockups of full-scale anti-aircraft systems and complexes offered for export. These included the well-known late-model S-300 series, the newer S-400 and S-350, and others. Visitors were once again presented with a comprehensive range of Russian MANPADS, including the latest addition to the line, the Verba. Man-portable systems were displayed both individually and on the Dzhigit launcher.
Commercial results
Russian weapons and military equipment have traditionally enjoyed popularity on the international market. Foreign sanctions in recent years have deterred some potential buyers, but overall, the situation remains acceptable and even encourages optimism. At the same time, the Russian defense industry is doing everything possible to find new customers and secure further contracts.
Thus, at the recent Dubai Airshow 2025, the Su-57 export aircraft was once again shown to foreign specialists and military personnel. Furthermore, the Russian industry reported the delivery of the first batch of such aircraft to a foreign customer. Such news will help new customers make the right decision faster.
The Pantsir-SMD-E module. Photo: Rostec
Domestic UAVs, particularly those used during the Special Operation, are attracting considerable attention. Several new orders for export Lancet drones have been reported. It can be assumed that unnamed customers are interested in new modifications of these drones.
It's safe to assume that Russian companies received other product orders during the recent exhibition. Necessary consultations will take place soon, and new contracts will be awarded as a result. However, it's still unknown what products and in what quantities foreign armies will purchase.
Thus, despite all the current difficulties, the Russian defense industry is introducing various export-grade products to the international market. These products are finding customers, and more such contracts can be expected in the near future.
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