The largest international defense exhibition IDEX 2023 has started its work in Abu Dhabi, which will last until February 24.

The Russian exposition is organized by Rosoboronexport (ROE).

At the same time, the Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security of Dubai, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan, in a conversation with RT Arabic, said that this year the largest number of participants has been registered at the exhibition since 1993.

“The joint Russian exposition at IDEX 2023 will be located in a separate pavilion, where Rosoboronexport and enterprises of the country’s military-industrial complex will present the latest high-tech military products for all types of armed forces.

Guests and visitors of the pavilion will be shown more than 200 full-scale samples of weapons and military equipment, ammunition and equipment,” the press service of Rosoboronexport reported.

The Russian delegation to the UAE was headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Minister of Industry and Trade of the country Denis Manturov.

“Over the past 15 years, Russian arms exports to the Middle East have been fairly stable.

Therefore, despite the sanctions pressure, the countries of this region remain reliable partners of Russia in the field of military-technical cooperation, and this interaction, in my opinion, has good prospects, ”said Manturov.

In an interview with RT, he also noted the high level of Russia's relations with the United Arab Emirates.

“Very friendly country.

We are developing strategic partnerships in all areas: diplomatic, economic, trade, and military-technical cooperation as well.

Very constructive, kind, friendly relations and work are developing across the spectrum,” Manturov said.

Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev also stated that the countries of the Middle East are traditional and important partners of Russia.

“Today we are actively working on proposals on the most relevant forms of partnership for the Middle Eastern states, primarily related to technology transfer, joint development and the use of offset programs.

Rosoboronexport is considering options for the joint creation of modern high-tech products, including a fifth-generation fighter based on the Checkmate light tactical aircraft, further work on the development and production of air defense systems, equipment for the navy, weapons for the ground forces, ”Mikheev quotes ROE website.

Tanks and artillery

As follows from the materials of Rosoboronexport, a wide range of domestic armored vehicles will be presented at IDEX 2023.

In particular, the export modification of the main battle tank - T-90MS.

This machine is equipped with a 125-mm cannon, a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, a 12.7-mm remote-controlled machine gun mount (which can be replaced at the request of the customer with a caliber of 7.62 mm), a guided weapon system with a firing range of up to 5 km and an automated fire control system.

“The T-90MS tank has all-round multi-level protection against conventional ammunition, guided artillery shells, ATGMs and RPGs.

While maintaining the traditional for Russian tanks low silhouette, optimal weight, high mobility and the ability to overcome the most difficult obstacles on the move at high speed, the T-90MS tank has a high level of protection and survivability,” the Rosoboronexport website states.  

According to analysts, the T-90M, which is in service with the Russian army, has proven itself well during the special operation in Ukraine.

“The T-90 tank in various modifications has been one of the best-selling tanks in the world for several years.

It proved itself very well on the battlefields of a special military operation, both in terms of direct fire on enemy targets, and when firing from indirect firing positions.

Naturally, at any arms exhibition, the T-90MS tank is in the center of attention of specialists, and the queue for it takes several years, ”said military observer Alexander Khrolenko in an interview with RT.

Russia will also show at the exhibition the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank, the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, the BMPT tank support combat vehicle, the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, the BT-3F armored personnel carrier, the Typhoon protected vehicle and the mine-clearing robotic complex. Uranium-6".

  • MLRS "Tornado-S" at the military parade

  • RIA News

  • © Evgeny Biyatov

Russian rocket and artillery weapons will be presented at IDEX 2023 by the Iskander-E operational-tactical missile system, Khrizantema-S and Kornet-EM anti-tank missile systems (ATGM), as well as Krasnopol and Kitolov guided artillery shells -2M".

Rosoboronexport will also present at IDEX 2023 the 9K515 Tornado-S MLRS, one of the most modern domestic multiple launch rocket systems.

According to analysts, Tornado-S has a number of important advantages over its predecessors, the Grad, Uragan and Smerch systems.

"Tornado-S" is a significantly modernized MLRS of the "Smerch" type.

The letter "C" in the title means "Smerch".

In addition to conventional unguided projectiles, it can use high-precision corrective guided munitions.

In addition, Tornado-S is equipped with topographical survey equipment, which significantly increases both the accuracy of fire and the speed of the complex, ”said Dmitry Kornev, founder of the Military Russia portal, in an interview with RT.

"Powerful arms supplier"

The exhibition will feature a wide range of air defense systems.

Among them are the S-400 Triumph and Antey-4000 long-range anti-aircraft missile systems, the S-350E Vityaz and Viking medium-range air defense systems and the Tor short-range air defense systems, as well as the anti-aircraft missile and gun system " Pantsir-S1M" and portable air defense system "Verba".

As Denis Manturov noted, Russian air defense systems are of the greatest interest among buyers against the backdrop of a special military operation.

“Any military actions in the future are accompanied by interest in those products, in those weapons that are in demand in this military conflict.

Therefore, of course, today there is great interest in air defense systems - short-range, medium, long-range.

These are unmanned aircraft, a helicopter component and a number of other positions that have been tested within the framework of the SVO and will be promoted in foreign markets, ”TASS quoted him as saying.

The aviation part of the exposition includes the Checkmate fifth-generation light tactical fighter, Ka-52E and Mi-28NE combat helicopters, the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter and the Orion-E, Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 UAV complexes. .

Russian enterprises will also show aviation munitions at the exhibition, including 305E and Vikhr-1 guided missiles.

A separate exposition will be devoted to small arms.

So, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the latest products of the Kalashnikov concern - AK-12, AK-15, AK-19, AK-308 assault rifles and the Chukavin sniper rifle.

The Russian pavilion will also feature ORSIS products: the ORSIS-375ST sniper rifle and the ORSIS F-17M and ORSIS 12.7mm high-precision carbines.

  • Semi-automatic sniper rifle Chukavin (SVCh) at the exhibition of weapons of the forum "Army-2020"

  • RIA News

  • © Grigory Sysoev

According to analysts, Russian firearms deservedly have a good reputation in the world.

“Russia is famous for the high quality and reliability of small arms, which are also easy to use.

Those main advantages of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which in Soviet times allowed him to lead the world market, are also inherent in modern firearms.

Russia is interested in selling it, and our country can not only sell it, but also organize the production of rifle systems in other countries, ”said Dmitry Kornev.

As an example of such cooperation, experts recalled the recent launch of the production of AK-203 assault rifles in India.

“IDEX 2023 is focused on the states of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Many of these countries are armed with Russian technology, and they are ready to continue to cooperate with us despite Western pressure.

In addition, participation in such reviews is a demonstration that Russia remains a powerful supplier of weapons and military equipment, ”concluded Kornev.