Russian Su-57E, Su-35S Eye S.Asian Fighter Market at Malaysia's LIMA Show

Russia is set to promote its Su-57E and Su-35S fighter jets to Southeast Asian buyers at Malaysia’s LIMA 2025 exhibition, aiming to expand its presence in the regional defense market.

The spotlight of Rosoboronexport’s participation will be the Su-57E, the export version of Russia’s fifth-generation multirole fighter. According to the company, the Su-57E will be featured prominently due to its operational record in real combat environments against adversaries equipped with advanced aerial strike systems, air defense, and electronic warfare assets.

“In this segment, the company will feature the latest Russian Su-57E fifth-generation fighter, which will be of interest for both representatives of the Malaysian Royal Air Force and other Southeast Asian countries,” the press office said.

Also being promoted is the Su-35S, a super-maneuverable multirole fighter that will be flown during aerial displays by the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic team. The Su-30SM, another Russian-made fighter widely used in Asia, will join the demonstrations as part of Russia’s effort to appeal to regional air forces seeking cost-effective alternatives.

Rosoboronexport will also highlight the Il-76MD-90A(E) heavy-lift aircraft. Capable of transporting up to 60 metric tons over 4,000 kilometers, the aircraft is designed for troop deployment, military hardware transport, and airborne operations. It can be rapidly reconfigured into a fire-fighting aircraft or a field hospital, underscoring its dual-use capabilities.

In the rotary-wing segment, Russia will present the Ka-52E and Mi-28NME attack helicopters, alongside the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter. These models are already in demand in Southeast Asia, according to Rosoboronexport, due to their operational track record and suitability for diverse regional missions.

The LIMA 2025 exhibition is scheduled to take place in Langkawi, Malaysia, from May 20 to 24. The event is expected to draw significant interest from defense buyers across the Asia-Pacific region.