Potential customers will see mobile MLRS, advanced anti-drone weapons and guided munitions at the World Defense Show 2026.
The Sarma mobile MLRS, the BTR-22 armored personnel carrier, and a smart cartridge with shrapnel to destroy drones are just some of the new products presented by Russian manufacturers at the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, which opened on February 8. Both new developments and equipment that has already been tested in real combat will provide Rosoboronexport with a portfolio of new contracts with customers from the Middle East, experts expect. Which stands of Rostec, Kalashnikov, ZALA and other manufacturers are receiving the most attention from visitors to the exhibition can be found in the Izvestia article.
"Sarma" is released
About a dozen world premieres have prepared Russian arms manufacturers for the World Defense Show 2026 exhibition taking place from February 8 to 12 in Saudi Arabia. The special attention of visitors to the exhibition is focused on missile systems. But if the export version of the Iskander-M is already well known to foreign customers from Belarus to Algeria, then the multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) Sarma will make its debut in Riyadh.
MLRS "Sarma"
Image source: Photo: Rostec
Rostec representatives emphasize that the key advantage of Sarma is its high speed of operation and mobility. The combat vehicle is capable of leaving the firing line in just three minutes after the salvo. The updated electronics automatically calculates the aiming angles of the launcher, while maintaining the ability to externally adjust fire from the battery command post. The novelty has an impressive arsenal: it is compatible with both standard 300-millimeter missiles from Smerch and Tornado-S, as well as with promising types of projectiles.
The technical base of Sarma is an 8×8 all—wheel drive chassis, which allows speeds of up to 95 km/h with a power reserve of 1000 km. The package of guides has been deliberately reduced to six units. This solution reduced the total weight of the loaded installation and significantly facilitated the process of replenishing ammunition. Given the use of modern precision-guided munitions, even this number of missiles is sufficient to ensure the destruction of an object with a pinpoint strike.
BTR-22 armored personnel carrier
Image source: Photo: Rostec
The exhibition in Riyadh also became the world premiere for the BTR-22 armored personnel carrier. This machine replaced the BTR-82A. She received an enlarged troop compartment and an uninhabited Bastion combat module. The designers revised the internal layout, focusing on the safety and comfort of the fighters. Weapons range from 30-millimeter cannons to anti-tank missiles, which makes the machine a universal tool for local conflicts typical of the Middle East region.
The family of "Shells"
Traditional interest is also aroused by air defense systems that have proven their effectiveness in conditions of massive use of UAVs. In particular, three modifications of the Pantsir complex are presented at the Russian stands of the World Defense Show 2026. First of all, this is the "classic" Pantsir-S1M, a time—tested production vehicle that has proven itself as the main element of protecting facilities in the near future. This complex has brilliantly proved its viability in modern conflicts, repelling massive attacks.
Pantsir-SMD-E
Image source: Photo: Rostec
While working on the modification of the Pantsir-SMD-E, the designers radically revised the concept of the complex: guns were dismantled from mobile modules, making room for an increased ammunition load of small-sized missiles. The new interceptors specialize in destroying small kamikaze drones. The economic efficiency of such a solution is obvious: the price of one launch is several times lower than the cost of standard missiles, while the reliability of defeating cheap drones remains at an extremely high level.
The naval flagship of the line, Pantsir-ME, provides all—round defense of the fleet: from corvettes to heavy cruisers. The ship's design guarantees protection against anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft. It is with these installations that the Admiral Nakhimov heavy nuclear missile cruiser is equipped, which is currently completing a test cycle before returning to service.
The Age of Intelligent Drones
ZALA has brought to Riyadh a line of products that have already been recognized due to their successful application experience in its area. The carriers of guided munitions "Product 51E" and "Product 52E" are of the greatest interest. These devices have proven their effectiveness in counter-battery duels and the hunt for mobile HIMARS launchers. For the 51E model, the designers also presented an updated compact launch platform.
Z-16-E reconnaissance drone
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Murad Orujev
The Z-16E reconnaissance aircraft complements the striking power. Its task is not only to search for enemy targets and adjust the operation of kamikaze drones, but also direct targeting for groups of FPV drones operating in the interests of ground units.
The Kalashnikov Concern presented the RUS-PE portable complex to the public for the first time. It is a high-precision short-range weapon designed for the targeted elimination of both stationary and maneuvering objects. The device with a characteristic X-shaped wing received a smart stuffing: the built-in artificial intelligence independently recognizes the enemy's equipment, checking with the libraries of images stored in memory.
Portable complex "RUS-PE"
Image source: Photo: Kalashnikov Concern
The operator can fully entrust the attack to automation or take control in semi-automatic mode. The launch is carried out directly from the front line using a lightweight container device. The compact drone is capable of staying in the air for up to half an hour, reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h.
Smart shrapnel and the "long arm" of helicopters
A breakthrough novelty from Rostec Corporation has become specialized 30-millimeter cartridges with shrapnel and a remotely controlled fuse. They are designed to effectively defeat drones. The principle of operation is based on laser programming: the sensor inside the projectile reads the signal transmitted by the beam about the detonation delay time. As a result, the explosion does not occur according to a standard timer, but at a strictly defined point in space — exactly where the trajectory of the enemy object lies.
The new product is adapted for 2A42 automatic guns, which are equipped with both modern armored vehicles and Mi-28NM and Ka-52M attack helicopters. The technology of programmable detonation significantly increases the probability of destroying small targets.
Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopter
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Maishev
The World Defense Show also shows recognized but improved hits of the Russian defense industry. Thus, the Kornet-EM anti-tank complexes received an external control panel: now the crew can fire from a safe shelter away from the installation itself.
The precision-guided missile "Product 305" stands out in the aviation segment. For its range and accuracy, pilots call it the "long arm" of front-line aviation.
The 9K333 Verba portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS) look no less impressive. Due to its reliable anti-interference protection and the ability to intercept targets at extreme altitudes, this MANPADS is considered one of the best in its class. The exhibition demonstrates the possibility of integrating Verba with the mobile Dzhigit installation and the Tablet-A control system, which turns portable weapons into a full-fledged automated defense node.
Willow MANPADS
Image source: Photo: Rostec
The Russian exposition traditionally attracts the attention of experts and potential customers. Given the number of new products and upgraded models presented, which have previously proven their reliability, we can expect to sign serious contracts with traditional and new partners at the end of the forum.
Dmitry Kornev
