RuAviation

From 1st to 4th April, the 15th Latin America Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (LAAD) will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s largest city. For the first time since 2019, Rosoboronexport will showcase its domestically produced designs there, including the Su-57E fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This was announced by the Rosoboronexport press office.

The Su-57 has already made its mark at international airshows. In Autumn 2024, the aircraft was displayed at an exhibition in China, and in February 2025, it was the star exhibit at Aero India. Now it’s Latin America’s turn – the fighter will be demonstrated to potential partners in the region, particularly the Brazilian armed forces. The Su-57 will be represented by a large-scale model as part of the exhibit on the Russian stand.

Rosoboronexport is focusing on technological partnerships. The company’s Director General, Alexander Mikheev, noted that the global trend is shifting towards collaborative projects. By 2030, the proportion of such programmes in the arms market could reach 40%. Latin America is a promising area for developing co-operation in the fields of aviation, UAVs, and precision-guided weapons.

The Russian stand in Rio de Janeiro will feature not only the Su-57 but also other examples of modern Russian military hardware. These include the Su-35S fighter, the Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft in its export configuration, and the Mi-171Sh and Ka-52E helicopters. All of these have been upgraded based on operational experience gained in the Special Military Operation.

For the display of equipment for land forces, the T-90MS main battle tank and the BMPT tank support combat vehicle have been prepared. Air defence systems, such as the S-400 and Tor-M2K, will demonstrate the ability to counter modern threats. The naval component includes high-speed craft and patrol vessels.

Algeria will be the first nation to receive the Russian 5th generation aircraft into its air force. Deliveries of the Su-57 are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. UAC Head Vadim Badeha stated at Aero India in February of this year that many countries are interested in acquiring the fighter, and the order book for the aircraft continues to grow.

LAAD 2025 will provide a platform for discussions with representatives from Brazil and other countries in the region. Rosoboronexport is ready to discuss expanding partnerships and implementing new projects in line with current market trends. This aligns with the strategy of many Latin American states seeking technological independence.