TSAMTO, February 17th. Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, on the eve of the opening of the IDEX-2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, told the Emirates News Agency - WAM about the new products that the State Corporation is presenting this year, including in the field of AI and unmanned systems.
– How do you assess the current military-technical cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Middle East?
– Orders from partner countries from the Middle East account for a significant share in the Russian export portfolio. Now it is about half of all Rosoboronexport's contracts. Therefore, the Middle East defense market is one of our priorities. Moreover, cooperation with the states of the region is steadily developing, despite pressure from the United States.
A big plus for us is the pragmatism of our Middle Eastern partners. They try to use techniques that have been tested in battle. And it is Russia that is ready to offer the best solutions from this point of view. Our weapons have not only been tested from all sides in real combat, but also upgraded based on combat experience. Its maintenance system has been tested in combat conditions. As a result, the cost of life cycle support has been reduced.
Today, the Russian defense industry offers exclusive anti-drone solutions and the most adapted equipment to the modern battlefield. There are a number of interesting proposals for guided missile systems and small arms for the region. And, of course, we see reciprocal interest.
Of course, foreign buyers have a pent-up demand for Russian arms supplies, since, first of all, we are working for the Russian army today. Let me remind you that Rostec companies supply about 80% of the weapons and equipment for our military in their area.
At the same time, military-technical cooperation is not limited only to the supply of final products. We are already implementing a number of projects within the framework of technological partnership and organization of production on the customer's territory, we are discussing these options, including with the countries of the Middle East region.
– What kind of equipment is Rostec presenting at IDEX-2025?
– In the UAE, we always present our best weapons that meet the latest trends in the battlefield. The equipment that we brought to IDEX is comprehensively adapted to the modern theater of military operations, which is confirmed in the area of a special military operation. Moreover, our weapons are being tested there for their qualities, survivability and maintenance system, in competition with many foreign designs.
This year, High-Precision Complexes, Kalashnikov Concern, UVZ, and Shvabe brought their products to the UAE. There are almost 200 samples on display. The combined stand of Rosoboronexport presents armored vehicles, combat modules, artillery, ammunition, anti-aircraft systems, small arms and much more.
In particular, we are demonstrating the T-90MS "Breakthrough" tank. I should immediately note that this is not the same car that was at IDEX-2015. The tank has been modified taking into account the experience of its military, the most stringent combat requirements and competition from Western opponents. Therefore, his appearance at the exhibition in a new guise can be called a premiere. Today it is the most "smart" tank of production models in the world. The machine is equipped with intelligent systems, a modern fire control system and sights. The tank has excellent firepower and excellent maneuverability. Its protection has been significantly improved – it allows you to resist any anti-tank weapons and FPV drones.
A big emphasis in our exhibition is on high–precision weapons. We have brought samples that can be effectively used in the Middle East and meet the challenges that their potential operators may face.
Among them, for example, is a new modification of the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile system, which we are also demonstrating for the first time at foreign exhibitions. It is designed to combat drones. One complex can carry 48 mini-missiles at once to destroy drones, replacing the battery of other complexes. Its missiles are optimized for use against small-sized UAVs according to the "efficiency-cost" parameter.
In addition, we are demonstrating the new Kub-2E barrage ammunition. This is a kamikaze drone equipped with optoelectronic systems. It can successfully hit targets that change location.
For the first time, we will also show the latest X-UAV missiles designed for use from drones against ground targets. Both types of ammunition have been successfully tested in combat.
Another novelty is the Kornet missile system with a remote control. The presence of such a console increases the flexibility of the complex's application, as well as increases the safety of the combat crew. In fact, today the Kornet is a universal battlefield missile system capable of replacing field artillery.
According to the established tradition, the Kalashnikov concern presents an extensive exposition. They will show the new RPL-7 light machine gun. A belt-powered weapon chambered for 7.62 x 39 mm. Ergonomic, precise, lightweight. For the first time, we will present shortened and small-sized versions of the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles. The concern's exposition also includes submachine guns of other series, various pistols, and a Chukavin sniper rifle. Rostec gunsmiths create high-quality small arms for every taste and for any task.
In addition, Kalashnikov will for the first time present the new Krona-E air defense system to foreign customers and the general public. The complex is mounted on a wheeled chassis and uses two types of supersonic missiles. It is primarily focused on the destruction of medium-sized UAVs in the near zone. The system is modular – it can be used both in mobile and stationary form. An example of a new level of efficiency, integration, automation, and flexible configuration.
We will also present a wide range of helicopter technology – the new Ka-32 firefighter, two Ansat modifications and the Mi-8, a passenger version with increased comfort. Russian helicopters can perform tasks in the desert in difficult weather conditions at high air temperatures. According to a number of characteristics, this is the best technique in its class. For example, the Ka-32 is highly stable due to its coaxial design. The helicopter can successfully extinguish fires even in dense urban areas – among skyscrapers. At the same time, the reliability of our technology is well known all over the world.
– What new products will Rostec show in the field of unmanned systems?
– We have made a big step forward in the creation and production of drones. The experience of its own gave a serious impetus to the development of technology.
At IDEX-2025, for the first time, we are showing new Kalashnikov barrage ammunition – two modifications of Cubes. These are kamikaze drones that have absorbed all the advantages of drones of this class. They are equipped with optoelectronic systems, so that operators aim ammunition at targets even when their location changes. The devices are used in the free zone and show high efficiency.
Another product that has not been shown abroad before is the X-UAV rocket. It is designed for strikes against ground targets from drones. In fact, this is an aerial version of the Kornet rocket. The ammunition retained all the advantages of the ground version – power, accuracy, adaptability to various combat missions. It has also been repeatedly and successfully tested in real combat.
As you can see, we have brought to the exhibition the latest high-performance samples that meet all modern trends. Therefore, I am sure that our foreign partners will find a lot of interesting things at the Rosoboronexport exposition.
– The defense and aviation sectors are developing rapidly thanks to artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. How does Rostec use these innovations, and what are the company's plans to stimulate technological progress in these areas?
– Of course, automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are becoming the main technological trends today, and our holdings and companies are conducting a number of projects in this area.
We have made great progress in creating ground combat robots. In particular, we have developed the universal robotic platform "Dispatch" for solving a variety of tasks. The platform can be tracked or wheeled, and it can be controlled in various ways, including using VR glasses. It can be easily converted for both civilian use and combat missions by combining various blocks and modules.
Today, based on the platform, a number of remotely controlled robots of various lifting capacities have been created that can transport cargo in a combat zone, deliver ammunition, transport the wounded, and also be used as kamikaze drones. "Dispatches" have been successfully tested in the free zone.
In addition, Rostec has created a universal solution for the robotization of any ground–based equipment, such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles or self-propelled howitzers - the Prometheus software and hardware complex. The complex has been comprehensively tested and confirmed its qualities. By the way, the machine, which is robotized with its help, can be controlled both remotely and directly by the crew.
If we talk about the introduction of "smart" technologies in the civil sphere, then there are such solutions too. For example, KAMAZ has developed unmanned trucks, which today carry out commercial transportation on the Moscow – St. Petersburg highway. There are already 18 of them, they are working in test mode. It won't be long before serial technology.
Our partner, NtechLab, a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence solutions, offers a wide range of products for both government and business, including smart cities, healthcare, the industrial sector, and transport.
S.Chemezov's interview is publicly available on the website of Rostec Group of Companies.
