Industrial Director of the Rostec State Corporation Arms Cluster — about Russia's new products at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh and which of the new systems are being tested in the military
Russia has significantly increased the production of T-90M "Breakthrough", T-72B3M and T-80BVM tanks. The technique is constantly being refined and improved based on combat experience. And despite the statements of experts about the displacement of heavy equipment by drones, the "war of the future" is likely to be more classical in nature. At the same time, Rostec State Corporation has significantly increased the production of guided munitions and is actively developing unmanned technologies, creating intelligent anti-drone systems, new artillery systems and much more.
In an interview with TASS on the occasion of the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the Rostec State Corporation armaments cluster and a member of the Bureau of the Union of Machine Builders, said why Russia will not run out of tanks, what new products Russia will show in Riyadh and which of the new systems are being tested in the military.
— Bekhan Ibragimovich, what top innovations will Rostec present at the exhibition?
— At the World Defense Show 2026, we present advanced developments of Rostec State Corporation enterprises: multiple launch rocket systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, artillery control systems, unmanned systems, as well as means of destroying armored vehicles and a wide range of small arms. Everything that is always in demand in the Middle East.
For example, the RPG-29M grenade launcher, a deeply upgraded version of the well—proven RPG-29, will be demonstrated for the first time. It is lighter, and it has received an all-day thermal imaging sight with a fire control system function. He also expanded the range of ammunition. For the first time, we will show the RUS-PE barrage munition, the first domestic container—mounted barrage munition.
— Earlier it was reported that the Sarma MLRS will be presented for the first time at the World Defense Show. Tell us more about this system.
— This is a continuation of our line of heavy MLRS "Smerch" and "Tornado-S." The Sarma also has a 300 mm caliber, but fewer guides — 6 instead of 12. This significantly reduces the total weight of the machine and increases its mobility and maneuverability. In addition, Sarma is equipped with a modern automated fire control system, which allows it to be used faster and more efficiently in various combat conditions, and to be paired with many reconnaissance and combat systems.
Sarma, as well as Tornado-S, successfully uses the latest guided missiles, which have proven their effectiveness in their combat zone. The new MLRS is capable of firing at specified coordinates from unequipped positions when deployed from the march. Our projectiles are capable of accurately operating even in conditions of harsh enemy electronic warfare — this has been confirmed during real combat operations. Also, Sarma MLRS combat vehicles can coordinate their actions by delivering group strikes against targets with the distribution of targets.
Thus, the Sarma is the most modern MLRS, more mobile and lighter than the Tornado—S, but with the same combat effectiveness. In combination, they will provide greater flexibility in the use of rocket artillery, increase the effectiveness of hitting the most protected targets with minimal ammunition consumption. A batch of such vehicles has already been delivered to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and is undergoing comprehensive testing in the area of its implementation.
— Are there enough guided missiles supplied to the troops so that systems such as Sarma can reach their potential?
— Rostec provides unprecedented rates of ammunition supply. This applies to both projectiles for barrel artillery and rockets for MLRS, including guided ones. Since the beginning of the SVR, the total volume of their production has increased tenfold. The same applies to precision-guided ammunition "Krasnopol". And most importantly, our precision-guided munitions have evolved so much that they can, as they say, hit a squirrel in the eye. They can also hit single small-sized targets.
— And what is the situation with the production of barrel artillery today?
— New howitzers are regularly added to the troops. These are both tracked "Msta-S", including the latest modifications, as well as new wheeled "Malva" and "Hyacinth-K". Moreover, wheeled howitzers combine both classic artillery solutions and the latest advances in automation and fire control.
Their key qualities, as in the case of the Sarma, are mobility and a new fire control system. The wheeled guns can accelerate up to 90 km/h on the highway. A high degree of automation makes it possible to reduce the time required to complete a firing task to two to three minutes. Today, our howitzers demonstrate high combat effectiveness in their combat zone. In addition, using this experience, all products are continuously being improved — changes and improvements are being made to the design.
— Previously, foreign resources have repeatedly stated that Russia is about to run out of tanks. They say we're getting the last ones from the warehouses. But what is it really like?
— The reality shows the opposite — the presence of new and modernized military equipment is steadily increasing in the area of the military operation. These are the T-90M "Breakthrough", T-72B3M and T-80BVM. Our concern Uralvagonzavod has increased the production of tanks significantly. This technique is constantly being refined and improved based on real combat experience. Combat capabilities and survivability of vehicles have been significantly increased. A well-honed evacuation and repair system has been built, which allows tanks to be quickly returned to service. Therefore, I have to disappoint the enemy: we will not run out of tanks.
— What kind of improvements are being implemented in the latest versions of Russian combat vehicles?
— All the latest versions of combat vehicles have been significantly improved in terms of fire control systems and sighting systems. The internal ergonomics of the combat compartments has been improved, both in terms of visualizing information for the crew and in terms of control. The technique demonstrates high accuracy of shooting both direct fire and from closed positions. Today, tanks in cooperation with UAVs are already used for sniper destruction of single small-sized targets.
Naturally, the protection of our machines has been significantly improved, both passive, through the installation of additional dynamic protection units and various types of screens, and active, through the installation of electronic warfare and KAZ systems, which show high efficiency in suppressing attacking drones.
— All these decisions are often criticized. Moreover, there are radical opinions that tanks are no longer needed at all, as they are too vulnerable, expensive, and their effectiveness is decreasing.
— Modern warfare has become different. But this does not mean that tanks should be written off. The battles in Ukraine show that a tank is still indispensable in the right place at the right time. Therefore, let them criticize, practice confirms the correctness of our decisions. The same Americans today actually take our ideas and implement them on Abrams, including all-round dynamic protection and measures to reduce the visibility of military equipment. They are also looking towards reducing the combat weight of their tanks to make them more dynamic on the battlefield. I am sure that our other solutions will be adopted.
The whole history of tank building is a history of evolution. At the beginning of the 20th century, the British Mark I was considered an engineering breakthrough, although from a modern point of view, this tank is no good — a huge slow-moving target on the battlefield. During the Great Patriotic War, the famous T-34 became a high-quality replacement for light tanks of the 30s with thin bulletproof armor and rather weak guns.
That is, the tanks will be improved taking into account the new realities. I am sure that the tank was, is, and will be a formidable striking force on the battlefield for a long time to come. Another question is that the tank may become unmanned and will change a lot — work in this direction is underway all over the world, and so are we.
— Speaking of drones, what new products does Rostec have here?
— Today, more than 10 types of reconnaissance and attack drones are used in the area of the special military operation, which are manufactured by Rostec enterprises. I would like to note that our enterprises produce a wide range of components for them — engines, electronics, navigation and control systems.
I would like to mention such products as "Superkam", "Skat", and the "Cubes" line. Thousands of enemy targets have already been explored and destroyed with the help of our vehicles. Many devices work in conjunction — a scout plus a barrage of ammunition. This provides high flexibility of use depending on the tactical situation and allows you to quickly hit targets that suddenly open up. That is, based on our solutions, entire unmanned reconnaissance and strike contours are being formed on the battlefield.
Of the new products, I will focus on the new aircraft-type drones separately. These drones are also actively used in the free zone. They can be used in both reconnaissance and strike versions. They are distinguished by their simplicity of execution and mastery by combat calculations. They are relatively cheap, and the efficiency is high.
Another new development of ours is a barrage munition. The device has an X-shaped wing and a range of almost a hundred kilometers. Its warhead is enough to disable a tank, infantry fighting vehicle, air defense system, UAV control center, command post, and so on. These barrage ammunition are highly noise-resistant and have excellent maneuverability, which allows you to dive at a target from convenient angles and hit the most vulnerable spots.
— Recently, it was reported about the supply of the Zubr anti-drone system to the troops. How effective is it in real combat conditions?
— Zubr is based on solutions that have already proven their effectiveness. Let me remind you that this is a development of our High-Precision Complexes holding. The complex is able to detect both large and small-sized aerial objects from any angle. Its detection tools automatically take the enemy's UAVs for escort and transmit the data to the combat module. The efficiency is very high: no drone entering the area of operation of the Zubr has almost no chance of escaping. This is confirmed in combat conditions.
Another solution is a new version of Pantsir — Pantsir-SMD-E. It was developed specifically for the protection of stationary facilities. Along with conventional anti-aircraft guided missiles, mini-missiles can be used to increase ammunition and destroy drones in the near zone. However, the full range of missiles can be used on the entire Pantsir line. These complexes are currently involved in combat operations and shoot down targets of any complexity.
I would like to add that "High-precision complexes" today offer a number of effective solutions for combating drones that can be used together. So, for example, the SQUP can give target indications for both the "Shell" and the "Bison". As well as the "Bison" can be guided by the "Shell". And the Zubr, in turn, can use Ellipsis cartridges to destroy targets.
— What other new anti-UAV systems does Rostec have?
— The latest radar surveillance of the airspace, which can be placed on pickups and other vehicles. The system can detect various types of drones, including micro-UAVs. This is not just another radar station, but the result of a whole evolution of systems and technologies, including in a real combat environment, which guarantees high efficiency. Another big advantage is its high mobility: the radar can operate both from unprepared positions and on the march with short stops, which ensures its own high survival rate.
Its advantage also lies in its versatility: in addition to detecting drones, the system can operate in a counter—battery mode — detect mines and shells, and then issue target indications to various means of destruction. The complex has already been successfully used in the SVO area.
— Ellipsis cartridges have become one of the last means against drones in the free zone. Can you tell us more about them?
— The fighting in the SVO zone is called the drone war, because drones attack both equipment and fighters from all sides. Therefore, the personal small arms of fighters and crews of combat vehicles are becoming an essential line of defense. Both rifled and smoothbore weapons are used to shoot drones. Obviously, conventional ammunition is not quite suitable for this purpose, so we have closed both niches.
Our specialists have created specialized IGLA shotgun cartridges for rifles. They contain a high-strength tungsten alloy shot that penetrates a 4 mm aluminum plate at a distance of 100 m. That's enough to hit a drone made of hard plastics and iron. The cartridges are mass-produced and supplied to units of the Russian Armed Forces performing combat missions.
Another effective way to combat drones is with Ellipsis cartridges for rifled automatic weapons. In fact, these are standard 5.45×39 and 7.62×39 cartridges, but with a tricky bullet that splits into three parts when leaving the barrel. As a result, this ensures a high density of fire. That is, it is much easier to shoot down a small drone by firing three bullets at once than one.
— Returning to the conversation about tanks. Today, there is a point of view that in the future drones will become the main means of warfare, and classic systems, such as armored vehicles, can be scrapped. What do you think about this?
— This is a fairly popular opinion, and it has the right to life. I would like to emphasize once again that Rostec is actively developing unmanned technologies, automation technologies, and increasing the production of domestic electronic and other components needed for the production of drones, not only aerial, but also land and sea. That is, we are keeping up with the times.
At the same time, it is impossible to categorically conclude that the future war is exclusively a "drone war." In my opinion, the authors of this idea are trying to draw universal conclusions based on their specific experience, and they are being let down by what is called too close optics. The development of drones is an extremely important issue, however, in my opinion, the war of the future, for example, may assume a more classical character, with a much greater concentration of forces and means, be larger in scale and speed, and in the power of the means used.
Drones in such conditions will immediately fade into the background. And tanks, by the way, will be in greater demand in conditions of intense war, as the most stable battlefield vehicles that remain operational even in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction. That is why, if you look closely, the West focuses on the development of missile and hypersonic technologies, on the further development of aviation, the navy, and on the creation of space combat systems. And at the same time, he is not going to write off armored vehicles, but, on the contrary, plans to create new models. Because with a massive strike with hypersonic weapons, including with special combat units, drones will not help.
We must not forget that anti-drone systems also do not stand still. Air defense systems will be improved, the number of interceptor drones will increase, and laser and electromagnetic countermeasures systems will be developed. This may negate the possibility of effective use of drones by the enemy in general. If he had hundreds of thousands of them.
Vyacheslav Ivanov, Gulia Levanenkova
