Today, on February 17, 2025, the IDEX 2025 International Arms Exhibition began its work in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Russia presented a record number of weapons and military equipment at the exhibition, which proved their effectiveness during high-intensity battles against modern Western weapons. In the center of the exhibition is a 46-ton exhibit, an export version of the famous T-90M "Breakthrough" tank, the hero of the special operation. TASS — about Russian novelties on the Persian Gulf coast
The IDEX exhibition has been held every two years since 1993. Russia has participated in all these previous arms biennales in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, starting with the debut one. This year was no exception: the country presents the products of more than 40 Russian defense enterprises, and the area of all domestic sites exceeds 2 thousand square meters. m. The national exposition is located next to the stands of friendly countries. Not far from the Russian site there are stands of Belarus, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, expositions of manufacturers from China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey.
The Russian stands are organized by Rosoboronexport. As Alexander Mikheev, CEO of the Russian special exporter, noted, at IDEX 2025, Russia is presenting the maximum number of new products of the domestic defense industry in recent years.
Alexander Mikheev
Director General of Rosoboronexport
In total, according to the organizers, the exhibition brought together over 1,350 companies from 65 countries. Within the framework of IDEX, the NAVDEX naval equipment exhibition is being held - an extended berth is located on the periphery of the exhibition complex, allowing warships coming from the Persian Gulf to dock.
© Georgy Sultanov/ TASS
The main exhibit
The highlight of the exhibition was a full-scale sample of the T—90MS tank, an export version of the upgraded T-90M "Breakthrough" tank. The 46-ton combat vehicle manufactured by Uralvagonzavod (part of Rostec State Corporation) is located in the center of the Russian exposition, surrounded by huge curved information screens. The T-90MS has been demonstrated in Abu Dhabi before, but today it is, in fact, a completely different machine, with numerous improvements based on experience in special applications. a military operation.
Alexander Mikheev
Director General of Rosoboronexport
The T-90M can be called the hero of its military and the most advanced tank in the world. The car is "sharp-sighted" and "smart": it has a high—precision multi-channel day-to-day fire control system, an automated tactical combat control system that allows the exchange of data on targets, even unobserved ones. The 125 mm smoothbore cannon allows you to hit the enemy at a range of up to 5 km, fire new armor-piercing ammunition, high-explosive shells with remote detonation, guided missiles (mockups shots are presented near the tank).
T-90MS tank
Image source: © Anastasia Savinykh/ TASS
The relatively small mass and powerful engine provide the T-90M with high mobility. The tank's protection has been improved taking into account modern means of destruction on the battlefield: there is a set of thermal and radar visibility reduction "Cape", and electronic countermeasures for drones, and all—angle dynamic protection, and the standard "grill" - a grill above the tower that protects against drones.
Another example of Russian armored vehicles presented is the BMP—3 infantry fighting vehicle of the High-Precision Complexes holding (part of Rostec). The armored vehicle is well known in the Emirates — it is the main infantry fighting vehicle of the UAE Armed Forces, their fleet is about 1 thousand units. Back in the early 1990s, the Ministry of Defense of the Middle Eastern country showed interest in the BMP-3, adopted by the Soviet Army in 1987. The compact floating machine has impressive firepower.: It is equipped with a 100-millimeter cannon firing both high-explosive shells and guided missiles, a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, and three machine guns. Several samples were prepared for participation in the tender. The competitors were the American Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, as well as the British Warrior. The BMP-3 withstood the desert run in a sandstorm with honor, and after the shooting, the advantage of the Russian car became obvious. Since 1992, the modified BMP-3 began to arrive to the Middle Eastern customer.
An integrated approach to arming troops
Russian gunsmiths present in Abu Dhabi a wide range of military products, many of which are being demonstrated for the first time. Russia has brought several drone strike systems to Abu Dhabi. In addition to the already well-known export Lancet, Kalashnikov concern kamikaze drones are on display at the Russian exposition: Kub-CM, Kub-10E and Kub-2E. In addition, a complex with medium-range unmanned aerial vehicles "Outpost-RE" developed by the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) is presented. The reconnaissance and strike UAV is used in its military operations, destroying targets with small-caliber KAB-20 guided aerial bombs. Russia also introduced civilian aircraft and helicopter-type UAVs.
Weapons against air attack are also being demonstrated. Thus, the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system, shown as a full-scale model, is capable of shooting down small aerial targets (up to quadrocopters) at ultra-short distances with inexpensive TKB-1055 guided missiles. In total, there may be 48 of them in the ammunition of the new Pantsir. Pantsir-SMD-E is also capable of using missiles with a range of up to 20 km. The complex has remote control, is capable of receiving target designation from external radars, and due to its small mass can be placed on the roofs of buildings.
Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system
Image source: © Anastasia Savinykh/ TASS
The self-propelled firing system of the Krona—E anti-aircraft missile system, first presented at IDEX 2025, carries four missiles with an optical homing head and six with laser beam guidance.
The Almaz-Antey Concern of East Kazakhstan Region presents the C-300B4 Antey-4000 long-range anti-aircraft missile system, the S-350E Vityaz and Viking medium-range, Tor-M2KM short-range complexes, the Komar ship turret and other air defense systems.
A model of the Viking medium-range missile system
Image source: © Anastasia Savinykh/ TASS
Another novelty is the Berezhok combat module from High—Precision Complexes, designed to combat the latest threat — unmanned boats. Rostec told TASS that the module, a full-size model of which stands on the Russian stand, has been tested and tested with positive results. Another premiere of the High—precision is the Kornet-EM remote launcher of the anti-tank missile system (ATGM), which has already passed all types of tests. Using the remote control, the operator can detect, recognize, and aim the missile at a target (stationary or moving) with a high degree of automation. There are mock-ups of guided missiles for Russian ATGMs in the neighborhood.
Small arms include the new 7.62 mm RPL-7 belt-powered light machine gun, shortened and modified versions of the AK-12 and AK-15 Kalashnikov assault rifles, the PPK-20 submachine gun, and ORSIS rifles. Visitors can see the Chukavin sniper rifle, designed to replace the honored veteran, the Dragunov SVD rifle. The new weapon has improved ergonomics and improved accuracy of fire.
Kalashnikov Group stand
Image source: © Anastasia Savinykh/ TASS
Helicopters for every taste
The Russian Helicopters holding company's exposition is located in an open area near the marine part of the exhibition. It features four helicopters. Middle Eastern customers may be interested in the fire-fighting Ka-32A11M, capable of extinguishing fires in high-rise buildings. The helicopter is capable of carrying 4,000 liters of water and 400 liters of fire fighting foam. The Ka-32A11M is equipped with new Russian VK-2500 turboshaft engines with a digital control system. The helicopter has a modern "glass cockpit", a digital flight and navigation system in which information is displayed on multifunction displays. The Ka-32 family is in demand among foreign customers: in total, almost 200 machines were delivered to 20 countries.
Two light twin—engine Ansat helicopters are located nearby, in medical and sanitary versions. In early February of this year, the United Engine Corporation (UEC, part of Rostec) received a type certificate for the VK-650V engine. The power plant is designed for installation on light helicopters, including the Ansat.
Ansat helicopter in medical design
Image source: © Georgy Sultanov/ TASS
The largest exhibit of the outdoor area is the Mi—38 helicopter in the VIP version. The helicopter belongs to the heavy class, its maximum take—off weight is 15.6 tons, it is capable of accelerating to 320 km / h and flying at one gas station for almost 1 thousand km. The helicopter cabin can be divided into compartments, equipped with additional equipment, and the low noise level inside allows high-ranking passengers to communicate freely during the flight.
"We invite all friendly countries to cooperate"
On February 15, 2025, a Russian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov arrived in the UAE, and the next day Manturov met with the country's president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting at the Al-Shati Palace, the parties discussed "ways to develop bilateral relations between the UAE and Russia in the interests of both countries and for the benefit of their peoples within the framework of a strategic partnership uniting the two states." The Russian delegation will take part in IDEX 2025 and hold a number of bilateral negotiations.
Rosoboronexport conducts fruitful cooperation with almost all countries of the Middle East and North Africa," said Alexander Mikheev, head of the special exporter, in an interview with TASS . — Today, their share in the company's order portfolio is about 50%. We are implementing and discussing with our partners projects on cooperation in the field of weapons and military equipment for all types of armed forces."
Mikheev noted that all the products presented meet the expectations of Russia's partners in terms of the degree of adaptation to new realities and have great prospects in the Middle East. The products of Russian gunsmiths are in demand in the region as both finished products and kits for modernization. As an example, the head of Rosoboronexport cited the Berezhok combat module, proposed for installation on already purchased infantry fighting vehicles.
Rosoboronexport expects an increase in interest in this car both at the exhibition itself and after it. First of all, from partners from the Middle East and North Africa, who know Russian armored vehicles well, appreciate their reliability and efficiency. And, of course, we invite all friendly countries to cooperate," Mikheyev summed up.
Victor Bodrov
