As its full-scale war against Ukraine drags on, Russia is signaling a renewed push into the global arms market, promoting high-profile systems like the S-500 air defense platform, combat drones, and modernized armored vehicles as key exports.
According to reporting from Defense Express, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that Moscow expects continued foreign interest in its military technology, naming the S-400, S-500, strike-capable UAVs, and upgraded ground platforms among systems Russia hopes to sell after the war.
But analysts are questioning whether this ambition is matched by production capacity, global demand, or competitive edge—especially after a string of export failures and battlefield embarrassments.
The S-500 Prometey system has long been billed by the Kremlin as the next-generation successor to the S-400, allegedly capable of intercepting hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
But its real-world performance remains unproven, and sightings of the system are limited—primarily linked to a reported deployment in Crimea after older S-300 and S-400 systems struggled to intercept U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.
Russia claimed to have tested the S-500 in early 2024, but serial production and deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, despite announcements dating back to 2022.
Low Interest, Lost Deals
Russia’s attempts to sell ground platforms are also hitting resistance.
In late 2024, Moscow reportedly tried to market its BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to Vietnam, hoping to replace the country’s aging PT-76 fleet. The deal, however, failed to materialize.
In another blow, Chinese VT-4 tanks outperformed Russia’s T-90S during comparative trials in Algeria in September 2024, undermining Russia’s long-standing position as a key tank supplier to North African militaries.
Despite Shoigu’s emphasis on missile defense and ground systems, Russia’s recent export focus has shifted toward aviation.
One key question involves the future of Su-35E fighter jets—originally intended for Egypt but reportedly redirected, with Algeria and Iran floated as possible new buyers.
In early 2025, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed for the first time the purchase of Russian Su-35s, as stated by Brigadier General Ali Shadmani. However, neither the number of jets nor the delivery timeline has been made public.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter made its first international appearance in China, only to draw criticism from defense observers over its design, maintenance complexity, and unresolved issues, further denting Russia’s credibility in the high-end export market.
