Staff Correspondent
JSC ROSOBORONEXPORT, a flagship of the Rostec State Corporation, arrives at DSA 2026 with unmistakable energy and a clear mission: to celebrate, strengthen, and expand Russia’s defence-technology partnerships in the Asia-Pacific. The Defence Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur—one of the world’s foremost gatherings for arms and military equipment—offers a stage of unmatched scale and importance, and ROSOBORONEXPORT is seizing this opportunity with an ambitious, meticulously curated joint Russian exhibit. The company’s presence signals not only the technological prowess of Russian defence manufacturers but also a deep commitment to long-term cooperation with Malaysia and other partners across the region.
From the outset, ROSOBORONEXPORT’s message is emphatic and forward-looking. Director General Alexander Mikheev’s words—expressing pride in presenting Russian defence products to a nation with long-standing economic, cultural, and scientific ties with Russia—encapsulate both respect for shared history and an optimistic vision for the future. This is not a mere commercial visit: it is an outreach grounded in mutual interest, strategic partnership, and the intent to enhance Malaysia’s defence capabilities through access to advanced, battle-tested systems. ROSOBORONEXPORT promises to continue equipping friendly states with solutions designed to reinforce national sovereignty and operational readiness.
Central to ROSOBORONEXPORT’s exhibit is the Su-57E fifth-generation multirole fighter—a flagship aircraft that embodies the technological depth and combat-proven pedigree of modern Russian aerospace engineering. Showcasing the Su-57E highlights a core proposition: Russia offers not only cutting-edge design and stealthy performance but also systems that have demonstrated resilience and effectiveness under real-world combat conditions, including operating with long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface guided weapons in heavily contested air-defence and ECM environments. For the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which already fields Su-30MKM aircraft, the Su-57E presents a compelling modernization and capability-development pathway by sharing systems, weapons, and logistical commonalities that ease transition and enhance interoperability. Interest in the Su-57E is growing—orders from a spectrum of partners attest to the platform’s global appeal and the expanding roster of customers underscores its strategic relevance.
Complementing aviation offerings, ROSOBORONEXPORT’s UAV and loitering munition portfolio is extensive and practical. The exhibit will feature reconnaissance and strike-capable systems with demonstrated operational histories, including the short-range S350M-E (Supercam S350), ZALA’s versatile Lancet-E reconnaissance and strike system, and several Kalashnikov Group developments such as the KUB-2E guided loitering munitions system, the RUS-PE reconnaissance-and-strike system, and the Skat 350M reconnaissance UAV. These systems, designed for modular deployment and mission flexibility, reflect the modern battlefield’s demand for persistent intelligence, precision strike, and cost-effective force multipliers. They provide armed forces with options for layered situational awareness and scalable engagement—from tactical reconnaissance to precise interdiction.
Adding depth to the UAV display, the Special Technology Center’s Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 multifunctional systems will be demonstrated to partner delegations. These platforms, already operational in more than 20 countries, exemplify export-ready UAV technologies that combine endurance, payload flexibility, and mature support ecosystems—qualities that make them attractive to a wide range of defence and security customers seeking reliable unmanned capabilities.
In the small arms and personal equipment segments, ROSOBORONEXPORT offers a modern, comprehensive range tailored to contemporary needs. The 9mm Lebedev pistol and the PPK-20 submachine gun reflect advances in compact weapon systems, while the latest Kalashnikov assault rifles—including the AK-15, AK-19, and AK-308—offer caliber and configuration options for diverse operational requirements. The RPL-20 belt-fed light machine gun and the Chukavin SVCh sniper rifle provide precision and sustained-fire capabilities, and the ORSIS T-5000 carbine rounds out a portfolio suited to both special operations and conventional forces. Beyond weapons, ROSOBORONEXPORT’s offerings for special operations personnel—such as the Neptune-1 positive-buoyancy body armor, the DHF 4-28×56 Harrier intelligent daylight sight, thermal imaging devices, and the ANTISVID-2N EO system—underscore a holistic approach to soldier lethality, survivability, and situational awareness.
Security, detection, and counter-threat solutions form another pillar of the exhibit. ROSOBORONEXPORT will present inspection and screening systems engineered for transport hubs, crowded venues, and secured installations, including portable detectors for explosives, narcotics, and hazardous chemical or biological agents. These technologies address the increasing demand for rapid, reliable, and field-deployable threat detection in peacetime and crisis environments alike.
Cybersecurity, an arena of growing strategic import, also features in ROSOBORONEXPORT’s DSA program: the Echo solution for countering modern cyberattacks will be unveiled in the cybersecurity zone, reflecting Russia’s recognition that national defence increasingly extends into cyberspace. By integrating cyber defence capabilities with traditional hardware offerings, ROSOBORONEXPORT demonstrates a comprehensive defence-industrial vision aligned with contemporary multidomain warfare realities.
DSA 2026 will be far more than a static display of hardware. ROSOBORONEXPORT’s business program includes a schedule of high-level meetings with delegations from Ministries of Defence and law enforcement agencies of Malaysia and Russia-friendly countries across the Asia-Pacific. These dialogues are critical: they cultivate relationships, enable technical and logistical exchanges, and lay the groundwork for collaborative training, maintenance and long-term sustainment agreements. Through such engagement, ROSOBORONEXPORT aims to tailor solutions to national doctrines and operational environments, ensuring that technology transfers translate into enduring capability improvements.
The significance of ROSOBORONEXPORT’s participation in DSA 2026 goes beyond immediate sales or bilateral agreements. It is a statement about the enduring relevance of Russian defence industry innovation in a shifting global security landscape and about a commitment to partner nations that seek reliable, interoperable, and proven systems. For Malaysia, this presence is an invitation to explore deepened defence-technical cooperation that respects national priorities while offering access to a wide spectrum of capabilities—from fifth-generation aviation to unmanned systems, from individual weapons to cyber defence and security screening technologies.
As the gates of DSA 2026 open in Kuala Lumpur, visitors to the Russian joint exhibit will encounter a vivid demonstration of Russian defence engineering: platforms with operational pedigree, modular and scalable solutions for contemporary security challenges, and a readiness to engage in constructive, long-term partnerships. ROSOBORONEXPORT’s enthusiastic presence promises not only impressive hardware but also the collaborative frameworks necessary for adaptation, integration, and sustained use—ensuring that partner nations can confidently bolster their defence postures.
