Russia is displaying its weapons that have killed thousands of Syrian civilians in the Syrian Civil War at the ongoing IDEX 2017, or the International Defense Exhibition and Conference, billed as the most strategically important tri-service defense exhibition in the world.

Being held from Feb. 19-23 at Abu Dhabi, IDEX is the only international defense exhibition and conference in the Middle East, North Africa region. Russia has taken part in all 13 IDEX events, which are held every two years.

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Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export agency which is coordinating Russia's participation in IDEX 2017, is offering cutting edge samples of weapons and military equipment and services to modernize existing Soviet-and Russian-manufactured equipment.

Russian weapons are well proven in the Middle East, proudly said Igor Sevastyanov, Rosoboronexport Deputy Director General.

Russia is exhibiting more than 240 weapons and military equipment for all branches of armed forces, many of which showed high combat effectiveness during "counter-terrorism operations" such as those being conducted by the Syrian Arab Army against anti-Assad rebels for the past five years.

Because of the huge number of weapons displayed, the Russian exhibit occupies 1,379 square meters.

Russian experts and Rosoboronexport specialists will also conduct a series of presentations for potential foreign customers. They will also meet with representatives of the military and political leadership and the business community of the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the European Union.

Rosoboronexport is organizing exhibits belonging to 18 enterprises from the Russian military-industrial complex.

Russia expects visitors to take active interest in Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) air superiority fighters; Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopters; S-400 air defense systems; Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems and the Igla-S man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

Visitors interested in naval equipment will get the chance to see project 14310 Mirazh and project 12150 Mangust fast patrol boats.

Russia will exhibit a T-90MS main battle tank, which is currently being used by Assad's army in Syria; a BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle; a BTR-82A armored personnel carrier and Typhoon-K multipurpose and special-purpose motor vehicles.

As usual, potential clients are expected to take great interest in Kalashnikov Concern products, chief among which is the Kalashnikov family of assault rifles, which are also doing a lot of the killing in Syria.

TagsRussia, Syrian civilians, Syrian Civil War, IDEX 2017, International Defense Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, Rosoboronexport, Igor Sevastyanov