Russian Su-57E next-generation stealth fighter debuts at the Dubai Airshow 2025

The Dubai Airshow 2025 is poised to become a defining moment for Russia’s global arms export strategy as ROSOBORONEXPORT showcases 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.