On May 21, 2025, the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 began in Minsk. In addition to Russia and Belarus, China, India, Iran and Pakistan are participating in it. About new weapons developments in the Belarusian capital — in the material of TASS
The exhibition, which takes place every two years, is organized this time at the Belexpo Minsk International Exhibition Center, which opened on May 8, 2025, a new spacious exhibition area in the north of the capital. A press release from the organizers of the event notes that one and a half times more companies are participating in the arms Biennale, which will be held until May 24, inclusive, than in 2023. The exhibition area is 11.5 thousand square meters, of which more than 6 thousand are in the open area.
Rosoboronexport JSC (part of Rostec State Corporation) traditionally represents the products of the Russian military-industrial complex (MIC). The stands of Russian gunsmiths are divided into thematic segments: drones, small arms, aviation and ground equipment, security equipment, and air defense. In total, about 700 exhibits of the eight largest Russian defense holdings are shown. Equipment for the air force is of particular interest to foreign customers: it accounts for more than half of the special exporter's order portfolio, which exceeds $60 billion, a record figure for the company in a quarter of a century of operation. This year, Rosoboronexport has already signed more than 20 major contracts worth about $7 billion. This was stated by the head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, quoted by the telegram channel of the state corporation.
Sergey Chemezov
CEO of Rostec
"In the modern world, where controversial issues are increasingly being resolved by the "right of force," military-technical cooperation between like-minded countries that are not ready to live according to the patterns of Western countries, striving to preserve their cultural identity, traditions and sovereignty, taking into account each other's interests, is of particular importance," said the chairman of the State Military—Technical Committee.Dmitry Pantus, Industrial Committee of Belarus, said: "Strengthening our own military—industrial complex, which meets the latest trends, is a prerequisite for the existence of strong national armed forces and a guarantee that the state will be respected on the world stage."
Earlier, Pantus told reporters at the GVPC board that in 2025 Belarusian gunsmiths will participate in the implementation of the state defense order of both the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
Alexander Mikheev
General Director of Rosoboronexport JSC
"We inherited from the Soviet Union not only a common cultural heritage, language and fraternal ties, but also a unified school of design and engineering," Alexander Potapov, CEO of Uralvagonzavod, said in a press release. "This makes it easy for us to find mutual understanding, share experiences in modernizing armored vehicles, and implement joint projects."
Drones: attack and defense
Much attention at MILEX 2025 is being paid to unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as ways to protect themselves. The special operation showed how effective kamikaze drones of various schemes, large attack UAVs such as "Outpost" and "Pacer", which were successfully used, including during the liberation of the Kursk border region, and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Russia is presenting in Minsk an export version of the famous Lancet unmanned aerial system from the Zala Aero Group. Earlier, Rosoboronexport noted that the Russian development stands out among others for its "exceptionally successful application in real conditions." So, according to the statistics provided by the developers, every third American Abrams tank transferred to Ukraine was destroyed by the Lancet. The number of episodes of the complex's use published in open sources exceeds 3.2 thousand, with most targets destroyed or hit. The Lancet-E, shown in the Belarusian capital, includes the Z-16-E unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, as well as the Product 51-E and Product 52-E kamikaze drones.
The Lancet unmanned complex
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
In addition, MILEX 2025 demonstrates the Kub-E, Kub-2-1E barrage ammunition, and the Skat-350M reconnaissance UAV developed by the Kalashnikov concern.
Kalashnikov reconnaissance and attack UAVs
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
Rostec's High-Precision Complexes Holding company shows X-UAV missiles for arming large drones. Ammunition is already being supplied to the troops.
X-UAV Rocket Model
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
Russian fighters widely use rifles and shotguns in special operations, shooting down enemy drones at short distances. Rostec has shown for the first time special IGLA series cartridges for smoothbore weapons designed to destroy drones at distances from 30 to 100 m. For example, IGLA 100 is filled with shot from a special alloy one and a half times denser than lead. "These cartridges place fewer requirements on the marksmanship of the shooter, while being extremely effective," said Bekhan Ozdoev. "For example, Mavik literally shatters when hit by an anti—drone Needle."
The world's best tank and heavy flamethrowers
Rostec's Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) concern presents military equipment tested by a special operation in the form of models: an upgraded T-90MS tank in export form, a TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, and a universal armored engineering vehicle (UBIM). Experts consider the latest versions of the T-90M to be the most suitable vehicles for modern combat, and Russian President Vladimir Putin called it the best tank in the world. The armored vehicle has improved protection with the possibility of its modular reinforcement, the tank has a modern highly automated digital fire control system, and an active protection system is provided.
The model of the T-90MS tank
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
For the first time abroad, the remote-controlled combat module "Hunter" from UVZ is presented. The novelty is armed with a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun, which is stabilized in two planes, has tele- and thermal imaging sights, and can hit a target with the first shot at a range of up to 1 km. The Hunter is already in service, and in land, sea and stationary versions. Shooting and troubleshooting occur remotely, without endangering the lives of military personnel.
The model of the Hunter combat module
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
MILEX 2025 shows the Tosochka CBT-2 on a wheeled chassis, a further development of Russian heavy flamethrower systems using thermobaric ammunition. "The system burns out everything, the consequences are deplorable, there is nothing left of the personnel at all," the commander of the heavy flamethrower platoon of the Vostok group of forces with the call sign Saratov told TASS. "One package contains 18 guides, covering an area of 60,000 square meters, or 6 hectares." The soldier added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting a real hunt for Tosochka's calculations.
In addition, the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle with additional protection, the 2S25M amphibious self-propelled anti-tank cannon, and the BT-3F floating armored personnel carrier designed for amphibious operations are presented.
Small rocket for small drone
Russian gunsmiths are presenting anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) of various ranges in Minsk, which have proven their effectiveness in intercepting a wide range of targets, including such complex ones as multiple rocket launchers and Western stealth cruise missiles.
Almaz-Antey Concern of East Kazakhstan Region demonstrated models of the S-350E Vityaz medium-range anti-aircraft missile system. Its version for the Russian Armed Forces is used in special operations, and the production of the SAM concern has been significantly increased . Models of short-range air defense systems of the Tor family on wheeled, tracked chassis, and in container design are shown. Even ships of small displacement can be equipped with a modular version of the Torus — the idea of such a refinement arose during its development. In addition, Almaz-Antey presents models of Podlet-K1KE, Kasta-VME, Gamma-C1TE aerial reconnaissance radars, full-scale samples of ground reconnaissance radars, including the ultra—compact Fara-VR complex - it can be mounted even on easel small arms.
Models of the Thor family of short-range air defense systems
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
Another short—range complex that performed well in a special operation is the Pantsir of the Tula Instrument Engineering Design Bureau (KBP, as part of Rostec's High-Precision Complexes) in various versions. For the first time in the Republic of Belarus, the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system is being shown, which can be mounted on roofs of buildings or concrete slabs. The Russian stand demonstrates mock-ups of ammunition for it, including TKB-1055 mini-missiles for hitting small targets. The module with four TKB-1055 is installed instead of one "classic" Pantsir missile, thereby significantly increasing the ammunition. According to the head of Rosoboronexport, the special exporter considers Minsk as a potential operator of the novelty. "Our neighbors periodically face threats and challenges that are relevant to Russia," he said.
From "trauma" to "Iskander"
The range of military products and security equipment presented by Russia in the capital of Belarus is very large. There are models of the Mi-38T amphibious transport helicopter, the Mi-28NE combat rotary-wing attack aircraft, and the Iskander-E tactical complex. The latter constantly confirms its combat qualities: for example, on May 20, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful use of Iskander at a special forces training camp in the Sumy region, as a result of which up to 70 Ukrainian military personnel, including instructors, as well as vehicles and an ammunition depot, were destroyed.
For the first time in Minsk, High—Precision Complexes are demonstrating a mock-up of the Kornet anti-tank missile launcher with a remote control panel - this solution makes it possible to protect its operator. In addition, models of the light multipurpose guided missile "Product 305E" (a new "smart" munition designed to arm attack helicopters), the 9M134 Bulat light guided missile, the fourth-generation Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system with a three-spectral homing head (thanks to the design, the complex hits even drones with low thermal radiation every day) are shown. and does not respond to heat traps).
The stand of "High-precision complexes"
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
The Kalashnikov Concern showed small arms — the 200-series assault rifles, the new generation AK-12, AK-15, AK-19, including shortened versions, the RPL-7 machine gun, the Chukavin MICROWAVE sniper rifle, which is designed to replace the honored veteran — the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle, pistols, submachine guns.
Small arms of the Kalashnikov concern
Image source: © Sofia Savitskaya/ TASS
In addition, safety equipment is demonstrated — for example, the traumatic pistol PB-4SP "Osa", flash-noise, smoke, irritating grenades.
"We are confident that the vast majority of the samples we present at the exhibition should arouse the interest of our Belarusian partners,— Alexander Mikheev said in an interview with TASS. "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."
Victor Bodrov, Sofya Savitskaya
