Egypt: Russia unveils S-71 systems alongside Su-57 in El Alamein

On Wednesday, September 9, Russia showcased the S-71M and S-71K systems alongside the Su-57E fighter jet in El Alamein, Egypt, marking their first public exhibition at a fair that Cairo aims to establish as a defense showcase for Africa and the Middle East.

The two systems were displayed in the Rosoboronexport area, the Russian state-owned company responsible for arms exports. According to Reuters, which was present at the event, the S-71M and S-71K combine, as per industry publications, features of cruise missiles and low-cost attack drones.

A representative from Rosoboronexport informed the agency that this presentation in El Alamein constituted the first public exhibition of these weapons, while asserting that they had already been used in combat. The official did not provide details on the operations involved.

Rostec, the Russian public conglomerate that controls Rosoboronexport, had announced prior to the fair that the export version of the Su-57E would be presented with new armaments that had never been publicly displayed in Russia or abroad. The group also announced flight demonstrations of the aircraft during the event.

According to Reuters, the Su-57E is making its first appearance at an airshow in Africa in El Alamein. The export version of the fifth-generation fighter jet had previously been showcased in China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

The fair was inaugurated on Tuesday, September 8, by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi at El Alamein International Airport. The Egyptian presidency announced aerial demonstrations by the Egyptian Air Force as well as teams from Russia, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, and India.

China is also presenting its J-16 fighter jet at the event, just weeks after participating in joint military exercises with Egypt, according to Reuters. Turkish, Emirati, and Egyptian companies are also participating in the exhibition, which has been visited by military delegations from several countries, including Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Kuwait.

The second edition of the El Alamein International Fair is scheduled to take place from September 8 to 10, 2026. Its organization involves the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, the Air Force, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Egyptian Space Agency, and EgyptAir.