At the Dubai Airshow 2025 Russia – now in the fourth year of its war of aggression against Ukraine – once again had its own large-scale exhibition area. Following the reduced presence in 2023, Russian companies showcased their products this year in a packed 1,000-square-meter hall, flanked by several chalets and a total of around 80 new defence technology products.
A visible political signal: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed Al Nahjan was given a personal tour of the exhibition – accompanied by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Rostec General Director Sergei Chemezov.
The Russian side emphasized a “sharp increase in series production” of the Su-57 stealth jet, according to which around 20 aircraft are now in service with the Russian Air and Space Forces (VKS). of twelve ordered aircraft have been delivered to Algeria. have been delivered to Algeria. The focus is now clearly on international marketing – particularly in the Middle East. And: a renewed push towards India seems to be in the pipeline.
One of the attractions of the Russian presentation was the daily flight of the prototype T-50-9, flown by the legendary Sukhoi-chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan. He demonstrated spectacular maneuvers in front of the pale winter sky, made possible by the interplay of thrust vector control and slat canards, which allowed the aircraft to rotate almost freely around all three axes.
Österreich, Schweden und Niederlande schließen Lufttransport-Partnerschaft
In the static display, Russia showed the new Pantsir air defense system, the Orlan-10 and -30 UAV family, among others, the Lancet drone familythe Ka-52 combat helicopter, the second example of the modernized Yak-130M and a wide range of new and familiar air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons.
After the high-ranking visitors, Militär Aktuell also mingled with the trade visitors – and quickly realized that origin now plays a clear role. For Russian stand personnel, the presence of Western specialist media, whether from NATO or EU countries, hardly seems desirable any more. Even neutral Austria no longer opens doors there.
