Defence events in Russia

For defence suppliers aligned with or seeking access to Russia and its partner states (China, Iran, Belarus, India, African and Middle Eastern nations), ARMY has historically been the single most important procurement and export platform in the Russian-sphere market. The forum is where the Russian MoD signs multi-hundred-billion-rouble government contracts and where Rosoboronexport facilitates export negotiations with over 80 foreign military delegations. Its cancellation in 2025 — the first in the event's history — is itself a significant market signal about Russia's wartime operational security posture and the declining viability of the forum as an international arms-trade venue.

NEVA is the dominant gateway event for any supplier seeking access to Russia's civil shipbuilding, Arctic/Northern Sea Route, and inland-waterways procurement pipeline, drawing state corporations such as USC and Rosatom as programme organisers and anchor exhibitors. For SMEs and international suppliers, the 100%-sold-out exhibition space and 700+ exhibitor roster signal a highly competitive but commercially active market where deals and framework agreements are signed on the floor. Despite Western sanctions constraining some participation, the event continues to attract 30+ countries and remains the primary B2B matchmaking platform for the Russian maritime supply chain.

HeliRussia is the primary access point for any company seeking to engage with Russia's state-controlled helicopter procurement and MRO ecosystem, including Russian Helicopters (Mil/Kamov), Rosoboronexport, and federal aviation agencies. The government decree authorising military product demonstrations gives the show a formal dual-use mandate, making it relevant for suppliers of avionics, propulsion, simulation, and UAS systems. Despite Western sanctions limiting direct participation, the show remains a key intelligence-gathering venue for tracking Russian rotorcraft development and identifying third-country supply-chain actors.

Fleet/IMDS is Russia's flagship naval export showcase and the primary venue at which Rosoboronexport and Rostec-affiliated shipbuilders present export-configured warships, submarines, and unmanned maritime systems to delegations from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For non-Western defence suppliers and dual-use technology firms, it is one of the few remaining major naval shows offering direct access to Russian Navy procurement officials and partner-nation delegations. Attendance or monitoring of the show provides insight into Russian naval export priorities, technology transfer offers, and the competitive landscape for maritime UAS and counter-drone systems.

Drone Expo is the principal Russian-market gateway for UAS manufacturers, integrators and component suppliers seeking access to Russian government procurement and corporate buyers, with over 80% of visitors directly involved in procurement or partnership decisions. For SMEs and startups, the co-located Unmanned Aviation Forum and 'UAV' conference provide direct engagement with government bodies shaping Russia's fast-expanding regulatory and funding framework for unmanned systems. The event's explicit inclusion of counter-drone and detection technology sections signals growing dual-use and defence-adjacent demand that is reshaping the Russian UAS supply chain.