For the first time abroad, Russian manufacturers presented the Hunter combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system
The Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system with short-range interception missiles to combat drones were shown for the first time outside of Russia. The premiere of the new equipment took place within the framework of the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025, which opened on May 21 in Minsk. Experts note that most of the weapons have been upgraded taking into account the experience of the special operation in Ukraine.
More than 150 companies
This year, more than 150 companies from Belarus, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and China presented their equipment at MILEX 2025. The number of manufacturers participating in the forum is one and a half times more than two years ago. They demonstrated about 200 new developments. According to preliminary data, more than 50 official delegations from 30 countries took part in the exhibition.
MILEX 2025 features a wide range of military equipment from the Russian military-industrial complex — Rostec, Almaz-Antey, Kalashnikov, Uralvagonzavod and others.
A mock-up of the Okhotnik remote-controlled combat module (BM) is being demonstrated at the Uralvagonzavod concern stand of Rostec State Corporation. It is designed for remote monitoring and firing. The module consists of a 12.7 mm 6P49 Kord machine gun, surveillance, aiming, stabilization and fire control equipment.
A mock-up of the Hunter remote-controlled module at the MILEX 2025 International Arms and Military Equipment Exhibition
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod
The soldier fires from the module remotely, being in a safe place. Moreover, the elimination of misfires is also carried out remotely — without risking the life of a fighter.
The machine gun is stabilized in two planes, which allows you to fire in motion at speeds up to 20-30 km/ h. The aiming range for moving targets is up to 1 km. Aiming is done by thermal imaging at night, and by television during the day.
The new module in the land version can be installed on tracked and wheeled vehicles, used as a stationary firing point, and there is also a marine version.
— Recently, the company has shipped a batch of Okhotnik combat modules into operation, — said Igor Afanasyev, General Director of NPO Electromashina. — At the moment, this product is being actively adapted to land vehicles — both wheeled and tracked. The modules have already been placed on a number of sites.
According to him, the marine version of the Hunter, the Narwhal two—plane stabilized platform, is in demand now. Specialists of the Russian Navy note its effectiveness in the fight against unmanned enemy boats.
A mock-up of the T-90MS export upgraded tank at the MILEX 2025 International Arms and Military Equipment Exhibition
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod
Uralvagonzavod also presented other modern models of its production equipment at the exhibition. In particular, the export upgraded T-90MS tank, equipped with a digital fire control system and the latest protective complexes, the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system and the universal armored engineering vehicle (UBIM) on the chassis of the T-90 main tank.
—UBIM should ensure the evacuation of armored vehicles, the passage of rough terrain and the provision of technical assistance to tanks both in defense and in the offensive," Dmitry Kornev, editor of the MilitaryRussia portal, told Izvestia.
He noted that the combat vehicles presented at the exhibition have been upgraded taking into account the experience of their military and carry additional electronic warfare systems to protect against drones.
New and tested samples
For the first time, specialists and the general public were shown the latest development, the OVP BZ radar station, a representative of the Rostec State Corporation High—Precision Complexes holding told Izvestia.
Earlier, Izvestia wrote that it is capable of detecting medium-sized UAVs at a range of at least 7.5 km. The weight and dimensions of the new station allow it to be mounted on building facades and transported even in small vehicles.
ORP BZ radar Station
Image source: Photo: Central Design Bureau of Hardware Engineering of "High-precision complexes"
"For the first time in the Republic of Belarus, the latest Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system and TKB—1055 short-range interception missiles have been demonstrated," a representative of the High-Precision Complexes holding told Izvestia.
In addition, the company's exposition features a launcher of the Kornet anti-tank complex with a remote control panel. And two missiles — the guided 9M134 Bulat and the aircraft-guided X-UAV.
Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system at the MILEX 2025 International Exhibition of Armaments and Military Equipment
Image source: Photo: Rosoboronexport
The guests of the exhibition were also able to get acquainted with proven equipment in combat conditions — the Iskander-E operational and tactical complex, a combat vehicle for the Gibka-S and Verba portable air defense systems.
In addition, they showed a light multipurpose guided missile 305 in the export version — it is designed for ultra-precise destruction of a wide range of targets and has proven itself well during its military operations. In addition, the holding's exposition featured a wearable set of automation tools from the Tablet-A, which allows controlling artillery fire.
In addition, the "High-precision complexes" demonstrate the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle with a set of additional protection, the 2S25M light floating tank and the BT-3F armored personnel carrier.
"Kalash" in the cartoon
Kalashnikov Concern presented a whole range of new small arms at the forum, including AK-12K (shortened) and AK-12SK (small-sized) 5.45 caliber assault rifles. Alan Lushnikov, director of the Kalashnikov concern, said that new products are already being delivered to customers.
Kalashnikov Concern's stand at the MILEX 2025 International Exhibition of Armaments and Military Equipment
Image source: Photo: Kalashnikov Concern
"We have shipped the first batch of the latest shortened AK-12KS to the customer under a government contract in 2025,— said Alan Lushnikov. — I would like to note that, at his request, the assault rifles were made in the Multicam color scheme, which was first used in the production of the AK-12 model 2023. Such a universal coloring for an assault rifle is dictated by the experience of its active use in the area of a special military operation, where the most effective disguise of fighters and their weapons in different conditions is vital.
The new assault rifles aroused great interest among the guests of the exhibition, as well as among the Belarusian special forces and law enforcement officers.
Kalashnikov Concern's stand at the MILEX 2025 International Arms and Military Equipment Exhibition
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Roman Polshakov
The AK-12K was designed taking into account the wishes of the paratroopers to receive a more compact machine gun, in particular, for assault operations.
The small-sized AK—12SK is designed for fighters who should engage in rifle combat only as a last resort, such as crews of armored vehicles, gun crews, pilots, and UAV operators. The submachine guns are equipped with a low—noise firing device (LMS) - previously they were not attached to standard submachine guns.
"Buk" in Belarusian
The hosts of the exhibition are expected to have an impressive exposition. Belarus has introduced missile systems, communications equipment, drones, electronic warfare and air defense systems.
Buk-MB-2K anti-aircraft missile system at the MILEX 2025 International Exhibition of Armaments and Military Equipment
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Victor Tolochko
— The Belarusian Buk-MB-2K air defense system is the result of a deep modernization of the famous Buk—M1 air defense system. The system has retained its proven design, but has received modern electronics, missiles, and integration capabilities into a single air defense system. The new ammunition provides a large area of damage to air targets and the ability to interact with modern radar," said Dmitry Kornev.
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| Iskander-E. |
| Source: iz.ru |
SAM systems have improved resistance to enemy electronic warfare and provide automatic target tracking. The minimum deployment time is 5 minutes.
Bogdan Stepovoy
