- Russia reported more than $15 billion in arms export revenue in 2025, with deliveries made to over 30 countries, according to President Vladimir Putin.
- The Kremlin approved a 2026 plan to increase military exports, with Africa and aviation systems accounting for a growing share of orders.
Russia delivered military products to more than 30 countries in 2025 and earned over $15 billion in foreign currency revenue from arms exports, President Vladimir Putin said on January 30 during a meeting of the Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation with foreign states.
Speaking at the session, Putin said Russia’s system of military-technical cooperation continued to function despite what he described as increased pressure from Western countries aimed at disrupting defense trade with Moscow’s partners.
“I note that in the past period the system of military-technical cooperation continued to operate in difficult conditions,” Putin said. “Pressure from Western countries on our partners to slow down and block their business ties with Russia not only remained but increased.”
Despite this, Putin stated that Russian export contracts were largely fulfilled as planned.
“Russian military products were delivered to more than 30 countries last year, and foreign currency revenue exceeded $15 billion,” he said.
According to Putin, these revenues allow Russia to fund modernization of defense-industrial enterprises, expand production capacity, and finance future research programs. He added that a large share of output at defense plants is civilian production, alongside military systems.
The Russian president also said a substantial portfolio of new export orders was secured during the past year and that export volumes are set to rise further under a plan for 2026 approved at the meeting.
“Volumes of military exports in accordance with the 2026 plan, which we are finalizing and approving today, should increase,” Putin said.
The Kremlin statement said Russia is currently implementing or developing more than 340 joint military-technical projects with 14 countries. Putin said cooperation in these programs would improve existing weapons and lead to new systems intended for global markets.
Russian officials did not publish a country-by-country breakdown of deliveries, but open-source trade data and defense reporting indicate that Russia’s arms export geography has shifted since 2022. African states now account for a growing share of Russian sales, particularly countries under international sanctions or with limited access to Western defense equipment.
Industry data also shows a change in the composition of Russian export orders. Aviation-related systems now make up a larger share of contracts, including fighter aircraft, trainer jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and space-related services. At the same time, exports of armored vehicles and missile systems have declined sharply compared with pre-war levels.
The meeting was held as Russia continues to prioritize defense production for domestic military needs while maintaining export activity as a source of revenue and influence abroad. Moscow has repeatedly stated that foreign sales remain a strategic tool for sustaining its defense industry and funding long-term industrial capacity.