The XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 will start in Minsk on May 21. Ahead of the meeting, Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, told TASS in an interview which Russian samples are presented at it and which products may be of interest to Belarusian partners in the first place, as well as what expectations the special exporting company has with the new Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system
What products did Russia present at MILEX? In general, how can relations with Belarus in the framework of arms supplies be characterized now? Which of the samples are most interesting to Belarus? Are there plans to establish joint production of any products with Belarusian enterprises?
— The Russian exposition organized by Rosoboronexport of the Rostec State Corporation in Minsk presents products for all types of the armed forces and branches of the armed forces. Eight of Russia's largest defense holdings participate in it, and Rosoboronexport demonstrates the most up-to-date military, dual-use and civilian products from more than 30 enterprises in the country.
Among them are the promising Mi-38T amphibious transport helicopter and the Mi-28NE combat helicopter, modern air defense systems successfully used in a special military operation: the S-350E Vityaz anti-aircraft missile system, Pantsir-S1M and Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft systems, as well as multi-purpose guided weapons systems. using the example of the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system with a remote control and the latest Bulat missile. The unmanned aircraft will be represented by the Kub-E, Kub-2-1E barrage ammunition and the S-350-M Skat reconnaissance UAV.
In addition, the T-90MS Proryv tank, TOS-1A, engineering equipment, small arms and much more will be presented — more than 700 items of military products in total. We will also present a wide range of cybersecurity systems, non-lethal weapons, and special-purpose equipment for law enforcement personnel.
We are sure that the vast majority of the samples we present at the exhibition should arouse the interest of our Belarusian partners. Among other things, we will also discuss with them a number of projects for the joint production of weapons and military equipment, including for launching on the world market.
— The new Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system, capable of repelling UAV attacks, was shown abroad for the first time in full-scale form in February 2025 at the IDEX 2025 exhibition. Which countries are interested in it? Is Belarus among them? What kind of cooperation can we talk about?
— This is a new product from Rostec's High-Precision Complexes. Rosoboronexport began promoting it in the second half of 2024. At the moment, the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system has been presented to representatives of more than 10 countries. First of all, the countries of the Persian Gulf are actively interested in it. The Pantsir-SMD-E complex can become a reliable means of protecting oil and gas infrastructure facilities that have been repeatedly attacked by drones.
Of course, Rosoboronexport also considers Belarus as a potential operator of the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system. Our neighbors periodically face threats and challenges that are relevant to Russia as well. This complex is undemanding to the sites for installation — it can be placed on buildings or a concrete slab, it is controlled remotely and has the ability to receive data from external radars, which have greater capabilities compared to standard radar facilities. In addition, it can launch multiple rocket launchers. Rosoboronexport offers Pantsir-SMD-E with two types of ammunition, both TKB—1055 mini-missiles for hitting small targets and classic missiles capable of countering a wide range of aerial threats at a distance of up to 20 km.
— Last year, Rosoboronexport introduced Russian unmanned boats to foreign customers. Are there any contracts for their supply already? Perhaps pre-contractual negotiations are underway with some countries?
— A segment of unmanned boats is being formed on the global market today. The participants determine the forms and methods of their use by their own armed forces. Rosoboronexport develops marketing strategies, identifies potential customers and their needs, and consults with partners, including Russian manufacturing companies.
— Which UAVs and robotic systems is Russia currently promoting to foreign markets based on its experience? Are foreign partners expressing interest, for example, in fiber-optic drones? In general, does Russia plan to become a major player in this area?
— Due to the high efficiency demonstrated on the battlefield, Lancet-E, Kub-E and Kub-2-E small and medium-class barrage ammunition, Orlan-10E and Orlan-2-E UAV complexes were able to occupy top positions in their market segments and will soon retain them.30", Orion-E reconnaissance and strike aircraft, as well as Scat-350M and Supercam reconnaissance UAVs.
Thanks to numerous videos, it is easy to assess the effectiveness of Russian drones. Of course, these include FPV drones with fiber-optic cable control, protected from electronic warfare interference. However, today they are mostly manufactured by the so-called national military industrial Complex, which primarily meets the needs of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. For substantive consultations with foreign customers, we need samples with completed permits. We hope that in the future these products will occupy a worthy place in the Rosoboronexport catalog, and we will be happy to present the best samples at international exhibitions.
— The demand for Russian Orlan drones is growing abroad. Which countries and regions are affected? To which countries are our unmanned systems supplied? To what extent does the demand exceed the current supply capacity, based on the fact that Orlan is actively used in its production?
— The demand for the Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 reconnaissance UAVs is really high. It is due to the fact that these complexes have shown their high efficiency in real combat operations. They solve aerial reconnaissance tasks at tactical depth using a wide range of technical means. The Orlan-30 is also used for targeting precision guided munitions.
Today, the Orlans are successfully operated in more than 20 countries around the world, and Rosoboronexport continues to actively promote them to the global market. The signing of new contracts is next. Partners in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the CIS countries are showing interest.
Due to the fact that the manufacturer has increased production capacity for the production of "Eagles", it is now possible to fully satisfy the requests of foreign customers without prejudice to domestic demand. In addition, Rosoboronexport is actively negotiating with foreign companies to organize the production of these UAVs within the framework of technological cooperation on the territory of partners.
— Earlier it was reported that Rosoboronexport is currently involved in 10 major projects for the joint production of products for the armed forces. Which regions are we talking about in most cases?
— Rosoboronexport is discussing with about 20 partner countries from Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East and the CIS more than 100 projects of technological cooperation on products for all types of armed forces with a potential of over $30 billion.
Among them is the joint and licensed production on the territory of partner countries of small arms, ammunition for them, air defense systems, helicopters, including Ka-226T, Su-57E fighters, aircraft engines, advanced aviation weapons, UAVs Orlan-10E, Orlan-30, Orion-E" and Kub family barrage ammunition, as well as electronic warfare equipment against UAVs.
— The Russian-Indian joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, registered and located in India, is participating in a tender for the supply of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles for the Kerala State Police. Has the tender already been drawn?
— The Russian-Indian joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited has won the tender for the supply of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles for the Kerala State Police. After appropriate procedures, it will become the second Indian law enforcement agency to purchase these nationally produced assault rifles. The capacities of the Korwa Ordnance Factory make it possible to fully equip the personnel of the Ministry of Defense and other law enforcement agencies of India with AK-203 assault rifles, which, due to their high adaptability, are suitable for various operators. In addition, the joint venture will be able to export its products to third countries in the future.
The AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 assault rifle for the 7.62×39 mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance. AK-203s are manufactured in India in compliance with exclusive Russian technologies on certified equipment. This ensures high product quality and compliance with the stated characteristics. At the same time, the principles of the Make In India program and the concept of "Self-sufficient India" are respected.
The founders of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited from the Russian side are Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern of Rostec State Corporation.
