Russia to unveil new weapons at Airshow China 2026

Russia’s state defense export agency Rosoboronexport will unveil its latest military products at Airshow China 2026, scheduled for November, the company’s chief executive said on Thursday.

Speaking in China, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev said the agency will organize a national exhibition showcasing new developments from Russia’s military-industrial complex, with a focus on aviation systems and air defense technologies.

Mikheev said cooperation between the Russian and Chinese defense industries has been deepening for more than two decades, adding that Airshow China was the first major international airshow to which Russia sent a dedicated arms exporter. He described the event as a cornerstone for bilateral military-technical engagement.

At the 2024 edition of the exhibition, Russia publicly presented the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to an international audience for the first time. Mikheev said the concept of “firsts” has defined defense ties between Moscow and Beijing, noting that China was the first foreign customer for Russia’s S-400 Triumph, as well as the Su-35 and other advanced weapons systems.

He added that defense cooperation between the Soviet Union and China dates back to 1953, laying the foundation for what later evolved into Russia’s current system of defense-industry collaboration with Beijing.

Chinese defense chief calls for deeper coordination
Beijing and Moscow are moving to intensify their defense partnership, with China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun calling for enhanced strategic coordination with Russia during a video conference with his counterpart Andrey Belousov on Tuesday.

The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that Dong emphasized Beijing’s commitment to working alongside Moscow to “enrich the substance of cooperation” and “improve exchange mechanisms” between the two nations. He further stressed that both countries should work together to “enhance the ability to respond to various risks and challenges” while contributing “positive energy to global security and stability.”

The high-level defense dialogue comes at a particularly sensitive moment in international relations. Just days earlier, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators convened for their first direct talks in nearly four years of conflict, meeting in Abu Dhabi over a two-day period to explore peace proposals championed by US President Donald Trump. Neither side mentioned the Ukraine conflict during the Sino-Russian defense call, according to the official readout.

Expanding military cooperation
The partnership between China and Russia has evolved considerably since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Both nations assert their relationship has “no limits,” which has translated into concrete cooperation across multiple domains, from energy infrastructure to financial systems that bypass Western sanctions.

Western governments have consistently accused Beijing of supporting Russia’s military campaign by providing critical economic lifelines. These include supplying dual-use components, like microelectronics, precision machinery, and drone technology, that sustain Russia’s defense industrial base despite international sanctions.

Since 2003, the two countries have conducted approximately 111 joint exercises, progressing from basic drills to sophisticated multi-domain operations. The annual Joint Sea exercise series and large-scale events like Ocean-2024, described by President Vladimir Putin as Russia’s “largest in thirty years,” demonstrate advancing operational interoperability between Chinese and Russian forces.