Russian Weapons Exports To The Middle East “Worth Tens of Billions of Dollars”

Russia’s portfolio of arms export contracts with countries in the Middle East and North Africa amounts to tens of billions of dollars, according to Dmitry Shugaev, the head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

Speaking at the Dubai Airshow, 2025, He said that “The Middle East, North Africa, and the Near East have traditionally been key destinations for Russian arms and military equipment exports. Countries in these regions account for a significant portion of Russia’s military-technical contracts. The order portfolio of these countries is estimated at tens of billions of US dollars.”

Shugaev added said MENA (Middle East & North Africa) and Near East nations are primarily interested in Russian aviation and armored vehicles, air defense systems, drones and various types of small arms, saying “Saudi Arabia is particularly interested in the supply of modern short-range air defense systems, ground forces equipment, and the localization of production of certain types of weapons within the kingdom. Military-technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia is experiencing steady progress. Regular consultations and business meetings take place between relevant agencies and defense industry firms from both countries, and the Russian-Saudi joint commission on military-technical cooperation is effective.”

Russia plans to hold talks with a number of countries regarding the sale of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet during the Dubai Airshow 2025, where demonstration flights will also take place. The Su-57 is a high-tech multirole fighter developed by numerous suppliers, requiring precise coordination and skilled specialists. So far, foreign interest in the aircraft remains strong

The Dubai Airshow is one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense exhibitions. Dubai is hosting the exhibition from November 17 to 21. It will feature innovations in aviation, space, and defense, as well as flight demonstrations and conferences.