In November, Russian nuclear contractor Rosatom installed Unit 1 of Egypt’s first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in a ceremony joined virtually by el-Sisi and Putin, while the defence conglomerate Rostec used the Dubai Airshow to spotlight its latest high-end military systems.
These events represented more than marketing: it signalled Moscow's determination to maintain its position in strategic export sectors despite unprecedented pressures. Three decades after the Soviet collapse and almost four years into the war on Ukraine under comprehensive Western sanctions, Russia continues to lead global nuclear energy exports and remains a top-tier arms supplier.
The rise of neo-conventional warfare and accelerating energy transitions—with nuclear power now central to carbon net-zero targets— are silver linings for Russian state enterprises, but mounting export constraints and strengthening competition will require Moscow to provide more accommodating terms to maintain a competitive advantage – similar to how it now sells its sanctioned oil with discounts.
Rosatom's nuclear leadership: built on decades of expertise
Nuclear energy supplies close to 10% of global electricity, with the IEA and IAEA recommending massive nuclear capacity expansion to achieve carbon net-zero targets. Ironically, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western efforts to reduce global dependence on Russian hydrocarbons accelerated the shift toward nuclear energy—strengthening demand for Rosatom's services precisely when geopolitical pressure intensified.
Present in about 60 countries, Rosatom designs, builds and exports nuclear power plants while providing fuel, maintenance and decommissioning services. With 70% market share in global reactor-exports and 40% of global uranium enrichment capacity, Rosatom stands as the world's dominant nuclear contractor—a position built on Soviet-era technological foundations and refined over decades of continuous operation.
This commanding market position reflects both Russian capability and Western absence and bottlenecks. This vacuum allowed Rosatom to become the default choice for countries seeking nuclear power. Yet this dominance through default now faces its first serious challenge as Western programs revive while China and South Korea emerge as credible competitors. The UAE choosing Korea Electric Power Corporation in 2009 for its Barakah NPP was the first step in Rosatom's market leadership no longer being unchallenged.
Established nuclear partnerships: ambition meets reality
India's Kudankulam NPP (6 × VVER-1000): Units 1–2 are operating reliably since 2013-2016, while Unit 3 approaches commissioning in 2026. Though timelines have extended for Units 4–6, the project exemplifies Russia's ability to deliver operational reactors and maintain long-term technical partnerships. India, however, is slowly but surely moving toward nuclear self-reliance.
Iran's Bushehr NPP (3 × VVER-1000): After much delay, Bushehr-1 operates reliably after completion in the early 2010s. Units 2 and 3 progress slowly, unlikely to complete before decade's end, while a fourth unit is still under discussion. Nonetheless, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation and Rosatom agreed in 2025 to build four additional reactors in southern Iran.
