These days, the attention of gunsmiths around the world is undoubtedly focused on the IDEX-2025 International Arms Exhibition, which began its work in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on February 17. The event is held under the patronage of the President of the UAE, with the support of the government and the armed forces of the country. The expositions of the participants were located at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company exhibition complex.
IDEX 2025, the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East, is held in Abu Dhabi every two years. The previous exhibition, held in 2023, was visited by more than 132 thousand people from 65 countries. According to the organizers, the exhibition participants signed contracts worth 23.34 billion dirhams ($6.35 billion).
Each time at the IDEX exhibition, the latest and most modern developments in the field of weapons and military equipment are always demonstrated. In addition to demonstration displays of weapons, firing from various types of weapons is carried out. The exhibitions showcase radio electronics, tracking systems, robots, armor, ammunition, weapons, first aid equipment and training simulators, and much more. At the moment, the following topics will be presented at IDEX 2025: weapons, electronic protective equipment, ballistic systems, radar installations, telecommunications, optical electronics, ammunition, as well as military equipment, protection systems on land, in water and in the air, engineering installations, mine protection systems, special equipment.
Traditionally, Russia has been present among the exhibition's residents, as an invariable IDEX participant since the first event in 1993. By the way, Russia has been represented at previous exhibitions by Rosoboronexport, Russian Helicopters, Kalashnikov, Uralvagonzavod, and Almaz-Antey. According to representatives, Russian companies have prepared high-profile premieres this time, as usual. Many of them have specially reserved their novelties for this forum, which they intend to present right now.
For example, Uralvagonzavod for the first time exhibits the export version of the T-90MS "Breakthrough" tank. Moreover, the developers claim that this is not just an updated version of the most modern Russian tank, it is, in fact, a new tank. The car was equipped with the latest equipment, powerful guns and protected from all types of enemy projectiles. In addition to the armor, the tank is covered with dynamic protection units "Relict" – they provide multi-level protection, including from FPV drones, as well as a high level of survivability and maintainability of the tank.
For its part, Rostec is showing the Lotus self-propelled artillery piece for the first time. The latest 120-mm cannon can be landed from an aircraft with a combat crew inside and fully operational. The Lotus is capable of firing conventional and precision-guided direct or semi-direct ammunition.
The Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) with new guided missiles for drone destruction, KUB-1-1E and KUB-2-2E anti-tank missile systems, Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system with remote control and Bulat guided missile are also on display at the exhibition.". For the first time in the Middle East, the Russian Lancet-E barrage ammunition and the Berezhok combat compartment (a universal combat module : a turret with a complex of weapons and SLA, designed to modernize light armored vehicles (for example, the BMP-2 )) are presented.
Also, for the first time, Russian gunsmiths presented their new Krona-E short-range air defense system, developed by the Kalashnikov concern for territorial air defense. The need for complexes capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to 10 kilometers has become urgent due to the active use of drones of various classes during combat operations.
By the way, this year, as representatives of Rosoboronexport stated, the general idea of the Russian exposition at the exhibition is "to show Russia's integrated approach to the creation and modernization of all types of weapons, taking into account the experience of modern warfare" (of course, we are talking about the experience of its own).
Of course, the drones themselves will not be enough at the IDEX-2025 exhibition. In particular, the Russian Supercam S350 UAV is presented to the attention of the participants. It can be useful not only for the military, but also in the performance of tasks related to border protection, law enforcement, and anti-terrorist operations. In addition to him, the gunsmiths "put on display" the latest kamikaze drone KUB-10E, which is now actively used in the special operation zone. This drone represents the latest generation of KUB family drones produced by Kalashnikov Concern.
In general, the Russian exposition presents more than 1,000 exhibits of military products, of which about 200 samples. It should be noted that among the visitors to this exhibition (and others for sure) there will certainly be representatives of the Belarusian military delegation headed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Muraveyko. The delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi on the eve of the opening of the exhibition, on February 16, and will participate in it until the closing on February 21.
The Belarusian exposition features more than 150 different types of weapons and military equipment. Fire weapons, communication systems, and drones meet the most advanced global development trends. The Belarusian delegation will have a number of meetings and negotiations. The traditional participation of our military industrial complex in a representative international exhibition forum will help establish new business contacts and strengthen ties with long-standing partners.
Vladimir Vujacic
