Russia’s defence trade intermediary, Rosonboronexport, is displaying the exportable T-90MS main battle tank (MBT) at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The platform, built by the Rostec subsidiary Uralvagonzavod, takes centre stage in the Russia pavilion of the exhibition.
Moscow’s weary war economy will try again to tap into the Middle East as a base for its foreign military sales. Russia has already attempted to coax the UAE into its market: most notably in 2021, when Sukhoi presented a prototype of the fifth-generation Su-57 Chekmate in Dubai.
Likewise, the British government’s estimates of global defence exports indicate that Russia did make the top seven exporters since 2017. However, it should be noted there is no available data for the country in the last two years. The UK expect the figures to be limited due to the invasion of Ukraine and economic sanctions.
This is not the first time that the Eurasian power has showcased the T-90MS at IDEX either, having displayed the platform in Abu Dhabi back in 2013. Now, more than a decade later, Rostec assert that the model has grown more robust in recent years:
“It is protected, taking into account the combat experience of countering the entire range of modern anti-tank weapons,” said a press release from the Russian defence exporter, referring to the invasion of Ukraine which approaches its third anniversary towards the end of this month.
Russian lessons from Ukraine
According to the open source intelligence website, Oryx, 179 T-90 MBTs (A, AK, S, and M variants) have been lost in the war.
Notably, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies indicated the possibility that the export-build programme has been repurposed for Russia’s own conflict.
T-90s intended for the export market appear to have been diverted to be deployed in Ukraine. The Indian Army, an importer that currently operates 1,650 T-90s in 21 regiments, is waiting on the production of 400 more hulls according to GlobalData intelligence in a 2024 Indian Defence Market report.
A new design for greater protection
The MBT is visibly heavily protected: the MBT now includes explosive reactive armour; add-on slat armour; and electronic warfare equipment to jam enemy uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
T-90MS is also equipped with a new digital fire control system, integrated command information systems, as well as increased firepower using APFSDS – air-bursting fragmentation projectiles and guided missiles.
“The general idea of our exhibit is to show Russia’s comprehensive approach to developing and upgrading all types of weapons, taking into account the experience of modern combat operations. This factor has already enabled us to sign contracts worth more than $4.5bn with 15 friendly countries in 2025,” suggested the organisation’s director, General Alexander Mikheev.
This goes for other systems in Russia’s arsenal, including the Pantsir-SMD-E air defence system with its new surface-to-air missiles. This system is designed to protected strategically valuable fixed installations from UAS.
