Moscow Eyes Arms Market Comeback With S-500 and Tanks No One Wants

Russia has expressed intentions to expand its presence in the global arms market by exporting advanced weapons systems such as the S-500 air defense system, combat drones, and modernized armored vehicles—even amid the ongoing full-scale war.

According to Defense Express, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that Moscow expects Russian-made weapons to remain in high demand internationally after the war. The list reportedly includes S-400 and S-500 systems, strike-capable UAVs, and upgraded armored platforms.

This announcement appears to reflect the Kremlin’s strategy for reestablishing its influence in the international defense industry. However, several questions remain unanswered: the scale of production capacity available for export, the actual demand from foreign partners, and how Russia plans to position these systems in a competitive market.

The S-500, for instance, has appeared publicly only in the context of alleged deployment in temporarily occupied Crimea to counter US-supplied ATACMS missiles—after the S-300 and S-400 systems reportedly failed to do so. In February 2024, Russia claimed to have tested the S-500 against hypersonic threats, though deliveries to military units were initially announced as early as 2022.

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Regarding armored vehicles, Russia attempted to sell BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to Vietnam in late 2024, targeting the country’s aging fleet of PT-76 units. However, the deal reportedly did not materialize. Additionally, in September 2024, Chinese VT-4 tanks outperformed Russia’s T-90S during trials in Algeria—a notable setback for Russian defense exports.

While these ambitions suggest a continued effort to remain relevant in the arms trade, Defense Express notes that Russia has recently focused more on aviation-related exports, a sector not mentioned in Shoigu’s statement. One emerging question involves whether Algeria may receive Su-35E fighters originally intended for Egypt, which were later rumored to be redirected to Iran.

Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officially confirmed the purchase of Russian Su-35 fighter jets for the first time, according to Brigadier General Ali Shadmani. The number of aircraft and delivery timeline were not disclosed.