Russia to display new Su-57E weapons at Egypt airshow
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation will debut two new air-launched weapons for the Su-57E fighter at the El Alamein International Airshow, while also
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will publicly display two new air-launched weapons for the Sukhoi Su-57E fighter for the first time. The debut is scheduled for the El Alamein International Airshow 2026, which opened on September 8 at El Alamein International Airport in Egypt.
UAC identified the weapons as the S-71M and S-71K, both designed for fifth-generation fighters. The corporation's announcement provided no specifications on dimensions, range, or payload.
New weapon systems detailed
The S-71K, known as Kovyor, is an air-launched cruise missile. It incorporates a conventional aircraft bomb as its warhead within a powered, guided airframe.
In an assessment published on April 27, 2026, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (GUR) stated the weapon carries a 250-kilogram fragmentation bomb. The agency said it uses an R500 turbojet engine and inertial navigation, and claimed Russia first used it in combat in late 2025.
The S-71M, or Monokhrom, is intended to add autonomous target search and engagement capabilities. A related UAC patent from March 28, 2024, describes an air-launched weapon using optical sensors and onboard target-recognition software to search a designated area. This concept allows attacks to be authorized either autonomously or by a human operator.
Russian aircraft on display
The Su-57E is participating in both the flying program and static display at the airshow. Rosoboronexport, the state arms exporter organizing the Russian exhibit, said the fighter would be shown with an array of missiles.
| Missile Type | Designation |
|---|---|
| Short-range air-to-air | RVV-MD2 |
| Long-range air-to-air | RVV-BD |
| Cruise missile | Kh-69 |
| Anti-radiation missile | Kh-58UShKE |
| General-purpose missile | Kh-38MLE |
UAC also highlighted that the upgraded Yak-130M combat trainer is on static display in the region for the first time. The first Yak-130M completed its maiden flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant on June 25, 2026.
Export claims and regional interest
According to Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, 35 Russian organizations are exhibiting over 500 military items at El Alamein. Rosoboronexport chief executive Alexander Mikheev has claimed the agency holds new contracts for the Su-57E. He did not identify the customers or quantities involved.
Algeria has been identified as a potential customer in reporting based on leaked Rostec documents, though the order remains unconfirmed officially.
UAC chief executive Vadim Badekha stated that North Africa is a key region for promoting the company's products. He said interest in Africa and the Middle East has risen substantially following the combat use of its aircraft.
