Marina Volkov remembers walking through the bustling halls of the Singapore Airshow five years ago, watching potential buyers from Thailand, India, and Indonesia crowd around gleaming Russian fighter jets. As a defense industry journalist, she’d covered these events for over a decade, always finding Russian pavilions packed with eager military officials examining Sukhoi fighters and Kamov helicopters.
But when Marina arrived at this year’s Singapore Airshow in February, something felt eerily different. The familiar sounds of Russian sales pitches were gone. No red, white, and blue banners hung from massive exhibition booths. The space where Russian arms makers once dominated was now filled with Western and Chinese competitors.
For the second consecutive year, Russian defense companies completely skipped Asia’s largest airshow, marking a dramatic shift that’s reshaping the global arms trade in ways most people never see coming.
The vanishing act that’s changing everything
The Singapore Airshow has been the crown jewel of Asia’s defense industry calendar for decades. Running from February 3-8, this massive event traditionally serves as the ultimate marketplace where countries shop for everything from fighter jets to missile systems.
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Russian arms makers once treated this show as their Asian headquarters. Back in 2020, companies like Russian Helicopters and United Aircraft Corporation operated joint pavilions that sprawled across thousands of square meters. Senior officials from Moscow would fly in specifically for this event, bringing scale models, promotional materials, and teams of engineers ready to customize weapons systems for Asian buyers.
“The Russians used to own this space,” explains defense analyst James Patterson from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “You couldn’t walk ten feet without bumping into someone trying to sell you a MiG or a surface-to-air missile system.”
Now, those same exhibition halls echo with different accents. Chinese defense contractors have expanded their footprint dramatically. European companies are pushing harder into markets Russia once dominated. American firms are finding new opportunities in countries that previously bought exclusively from Moscow.
The numbers behind Russia’s retreat
The absence of Russian arms makers from Singapore represents more than just missing trade show booths. It reflects a fundamental shift in global weapons flows that’s worth billions of dollars.
| Year | Russian Exhibitors at Singapore Airshow | Major Contracts Announced | Asian Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 12 companies | $2.8 billion | 35% |
| 2020 | 8 companies | $1.9 billion | 28% |
| 2022 | 3 companies | $400 million | 18% |
| 2024 | 0 companies | $0 | 12% |
Several factors are driving this dramatic pullback:
- International sanctions have made it nearly impossible for Russian companies to participate in Western-organized trade shows
- The war in Ukraine has consumed most of Russia’s military production capacity
- Banking restrictions prevent smooth international transactions for weapons deals
- Many Asian countries are reconsidering their defense partnerships with Moscow
- Logistics challenges make it difficult to deliver promised weapons systems on time
“Russia’s defense industry is basically fighting for survival right now,” notes Sarah Chen, a Moscow-based defense economist. “They’re producing everything they can for their own military, leaving very little for export customers.”
Asian buyers scramble for alternatives
Countries that relied heavily on Russian military equipment are now facing tough choices. India, traditionally Russia’s largest arms customer, has been quietly diversifying its supplier base. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are all exploring new partnerships.
This creates ripple effects that extend far beyond military procurement. When a country switches from Russian aircraft to American or European alternatives, it’s not just buying different planes. They’re also committing to decades of spare parts, training programs, and maintenance contracts.
“Once you change your fighter jet supplier, you’re basically changing your entire air force ecosystem,” explains retired Air Force General Michael Roberts. “That’s a decision that affects military readiness for the next 30 years.”
The shift is creating unexpected winners and losers across Asia:
- South Korea’s defense industry is landing new contracts in Southeast Asia
- France’s Rafale fighter jets are replacing planned Russian aircraft purchases
- China is aggressively marketing lower-cost alternatives to Russian systems
- Turkey is positioning itself as a middle-ground option for countries wanting non-Western suppliers
What this means for global security
The absence of Russian arms makers from Asia’s biggest military marketplace signals more than just changing business relationships. It represents a fundamental restructuring of global defense alliances that could last for generations.
Countries that switch away from Russian military equipment often find themselves pulled into different spheres of influence. When Thailand buys American F-16s instead of Russian Su-30s, it’s not just changing aircraft – it’s strengthening ties with Washington and potentially weakening connections with Moscow.
This trend is accelerating across multiple regions. Latin American countries that once bought Russian helicopters are now considering Chinese or European alternatives. African nations are reassessing their defense partnerships as Russian weapons become harder to obtain and maintain.
For ordinary citizens, these changes might seem abstract. But they affect everything from regional stability to the cost of military spending. Countries that maintained their military systems cheaply with Russian parts and training now face much higher costs when switching to Western suppliers.
“We’re witnessing the biggest reshuffling of global arms trade patterns since the end of the Cold War,” observes defense journalist David Kumar. “And most people have no idea it’s happening right under their noses.”
FAQs
Why did Russian arms makers stop attending the Singapore Airshow?
International sanctions, the war in Ukraine consuming domestic production, and logistical challenges have made it nearly impossible for Russian defense companies to participate in major international exhibitions.
Which countries are most affected by Russia’s absence from the Asian arms market?
India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are among the countries most impacted, as they previously relied heavily on Russian military equipment and spare parts.
Who is filling the gap left by Russian arms makers in Asia?
Chinese defense companies are expanding rapidly, while European firms like Airbus and American companies are also gaining market share. South Korean and Turkish defense contractors are also becoming more active.
Will Russian arms makers return to Asian airshows in the future?
This depends largely on the resolution of the Ukraine conflict and the lifting of international sanctions, which could take years or even decades to resolve.
How does this affect the prices of military equipment in Asia?
Prices are generally increasing as countries switch from relatively affordable Russian systems to more expensive Western alternatives, though increased competition among non-Russian suppliers may moderate some price increases.
What does this mean for countries that already own Russian military equipment?
These countries face challenges obtaining spare parts, maintenance support, and upgrades, forcing many to either find alternative suppliers or gradually phase out their Russian systems.