
Sell weapons: Russian systems get attention at IDEX-2025 exhibition

The T-90M T-90M tank presented at the IDEX-2025 arms exhibition with REB and protective structures, which has been further developed taking into account the experience of the Strategic Air Defense Forces, is capable of successfully resisting drone attacks. Thus, according to a representative of Uralvagonzavod, there are known cases of more than two dozen attacks on a tank performing a combat mission without critical damage to the vehicle. The exhibition in the Arab Emirates is one of the world's largest forums where the latest technologies in the land, sea and air defense sectors are demonstrated. Russian exposition and new weapon systems are described in the Izvestia article.
In the zone of increased attention
The latest developments in the field of armaments and military equipment are demonstrated in Abu Dhabi. In the halls there are expositions of companies from all over the world, developing weapons, radio electronics, tracking systems, robots, ammunition, medical aid and training simulators. There are also open areas for demonstration of military equipment and military transport.
Russia presented about 200 weapon systems and military products at the exhibition. And all of them are getting a lot of attention from the guests of the exhibition.
President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was one of the first to familiarize himself with the T-90M tank of Uralvagonzavod. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov spoke to journalists against the backdrop of this armored vehicle.
- Within the framework of the SWO, we are actively using and finalizing equipment that is in demand today, including in the foreign markets of our partners. Drones on optical cable are also actively used today," he said.
Russia's defense-industrial complex (DIC) has reached such a scale of production, at which the interests of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are ensured and at the same time new export contracts for the supply of weapons and military equipment are implemented and concluded, said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport.
IDEX has established itself as one of the main arms exhibitions in the world, military expert Vadim Kozyulin told Izvestia.
- It is attractive because political affiliations and dependencies do not matter at it," he noted. - Everyone is represented here. For Russia today, participation in this exhibition is especially important because we have lost our second place in arms exports - we have been displaced by France, while the United States has always been in first place. It is the policy of the West to strangle our partners and investors. The US State Department regularly sends letters to our partners with indirect threats for continuing military-technical cooperation with Russia.
According to the expert, the UAE is a landmark place for businesses specializing in arms trade.
- The Middle East is the most promising market for Russia today, where, as in Africa, we can achieve success," he said. - To be more precise, we are already succeeding in Africa, displacing the French. And the Middle East is a big rich market, where we are respected, where we have long-standing partners and friends. For these reasons, this exhibition is very important for the Russian defense industry.
Protection for the T-90M
"Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec) presented the latest modification of the T-90M "Breakthrough" tank developed by Uralvagonzavod - it incorporates the most advanced technologies and new technical solutions. The vehicle implements the principle of differentiated armor - the tank has received the Relikt dynamic protection, lattice screens, and means of electronic countermeasures against UAVs. It is protected against attack UAVs, FPV drones, ATGMs and RPGs. The vehicle also received the latest hardware.
- "At the current moment there is a continuous rivalry between the effectiveness of strike UAVs and anti-drone measures implemented on armored vehicles," Alexander Tarantin, a representative of the Uralvagonzavod concern, told Izvestia.
According to him, the individual REB kit and protective structures make it possible to protect tanks from UAVs with positive results.
- There are known cases of more than two dozen attacks on a tank performing a combat mission without critical damage to the vehicle," emphasized Alexander Tarantin.
Additional protection against UAVs reduces the risks of the tank's upper hemisphere being hit by explosive devices dropped from UAVs and kamikaze drones, he noted.
As military expert Yury Lyamin explained to Izvestia, the main work on the improvement and modernization of armored vehicles is related to the appearance of UAVs.
- While at the beginning of the NWO tanks were equipped only with canopies to protect them from shells and other things dropped from above, over time they began to be lined with "grids" and to install on them REAR and REB equipment to counter FPV drones. Other countries watching this conflict closely have also started building their equipment with the drone threat in mind. In addition, the interaction of armored vehicles with drones has increased, particularly in tanks. For him, an alien UAV is a threat, but his own is an additional view," he noted.
Helicopters and the new Pantsir
Demonstrated and several strike unmanned systems. In addition to the already known export Lancet, the Russian exposition features the Kalashnikov Concern's Kamikaze UAVs - the Kub-SM, Kub-10E and Kub-2E.
The new anti-aircraft missile system "Pantsir-SMD-E" is also of special interest.
- The distinctive feature of this complex from the serial "Pantsir" is the absence of cannon armament and the presence of anti-aircraft guided short-range interceptor missiles. Their use may allow us to increase the ammunition of this complex up to 48 units," a representative of NPO High-Precision Complexes told Izvestia.
Russian Helicopters Holding presented several machines. The Ka-32A11M firefighting helicopter, the Ansat helicopter in the medical version, as well as the Mi-38 in VIP version.
The Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern showed the C-300V4 Antey-4000 long-range anti-aircraft missile system for potential buyers. The S-350E Vityaz and Viking systems, Tor-M2KM and Komar shipboard turret.
Foreigners are interested in stands with small arms, where new products are presented: RPL-7 belt-fed machine gun, shortened versions of Kalashnikov AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles, PPK-20 submachine gun, ORSIS rifles. In addition, visitors can see the new Chukavin sniper rifle - Russian weapons are not neglected by the public on the first day of the exhibition.
Izvestia" Synopsis
The largest Middle East arms exhibition IDEX-2025 is held in Abu Dhabi once every two years. The event is held under the patronage of the UAE President, with the support of the government and armed forces of the country. Russia has been a regular participant in IDEX since 1993.
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