This article is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through Dec 23, 2025. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Sukhoi’s Su-57 fighter is poised to make its Middle Eastern flying display debut at the Dubai Airshow 2025 as part of a large presence Russian industry is planning for the event.
Rostec, the Russian conglomerate that owns Sukhoi and other defense and aerospace companies, has announced that it will unveil several products new for the Middle East during the gathering, which runs Nov. 17–21.
Speculation of a potential debut for the twin-engine, low-observable fighter at Dubai accelerated after footage of the aircraft rehearsing for a flying display emerged online. The video suggests that the aircraft may display its internal weapons bay during a pass for the first time.
The Su-57 joins a growing lineup of fighters at the show that includes the Boeing F-15, the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunder and likely displays from United Arab Emirates Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s and Dassault Mirage 2000s.
Russia has only twice displayed the Su-57 abroad—first in China and then in India earlier this year. Moscow reportedly has sold an export version, called the Su-57E, to Algeria.
Rostec said the Su-57 has “proven its efficiency in large-scale combat operations,” without elaborating. The aircraft was sighted in Syria and may have conducted some operations in Ukraine, albeit with limited effect.
In addition, Russian firms plan to bring to Dubai the Yakovlev Yak-130M advanced jet trainer, an earlier version of which has been exported to Iran, and the Kamov Ka-52 coaxial attack helicopter in its modernized Ka-52M version.
Russian Helicopters also plans to show the Kamov Ka-32A11M coaxial transport helicopter, while Kazan Helicopters aims to spotlight the Ansat-M light utility helicopter. It is powered by two Russian-made United Engine Corporation VK-650V turboshafts. They replace the Pratt & Whitney PW207 engines no longer accessible to Russia because of Western sanctions spurred by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A(E) airlifter will also make a return appearance after debuting at the 2023 edition of the show.
“Dubai Airshow is one of the key global venues where current trends in aviation and defense are shaped,” Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov says.
He claims Russian-built aircraft continue to be sought around the world because they do not rely on foreign components and have an extensive track record in operations.
Dubai is one of the few locations that allows Russian presence at its air show since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia’s own aerospace showcase, the MAKS air show, has not taken place since 2021 and has been repeatedly postponed because of the conflict.
Related Content
