The National Aviation Infrastructure Exhibition has become the largest in 13 years of its existence
The Mi-34M1 helicopter, the latest drones and anti-drone protection systems have become the main exhibits of the NAIS-2026 National Aviation Infrastructure Salon in Moscow. Moreover, the Mi-34M1, the lightest helicopter produced in Russia, was shown to the general public for the first time. The exhibition has become the largest in its 13-year history, with more than 200 companies from Russia, Belarus and China taking part in it. About the main novelties of the aviation salon, their practical application in civilian life and the freedom zone — in the Izvestia report.
Mi-34M1 Light helicopter
The Mi-34M1 multifunctional helicopter became the main star of the NAIS-2026 salon, which takes place in Moscow on February 4-5. The rotorcraft, gleaming with black lacquer like a government limousine, gathered the most visitors around it. The girls were photographed against his background, and the men were interested in the characteristics. Despite its immodest appearance, the new car is primarily a workhorse for our aviation. It is designed for passenger transportation and search and rescue operations. When installing additional equipment, it can be used as a training one.
Mi-34M1
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
"At the end of last year, the machine made its first test flight and is now entering the certification testing stage," Marat Nurliev, head of work on the Mi—34M1 helicopter at the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center, told Izvestia. — We plan to conduct tests this year, after which the car can be put into mass production. In our country, there were no light machines for training helicopter pilots — either foreign machines or Mi-8s were used, which are more expensive than our machine in operation. The Mi-34M1 will close this important niche for our aviation.
Moreover, it will be possible to train both civilian and military pilots, said Marat Nurliev.
The stand of the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) also received increased attention — the main exhibit there was a model of the TCB-800 training aircraft.
It is intended for initial training, professional selection and advanced training of pilots.
Model of the UTS-800 training aircraft
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Serial production of the machines began in 2024. Some of them were transferred to the Russian Defense Ministry in December of that year, while others continue to participate in flight tests, said Ekaterina Zgirovskaya, an official representative of UZGA JSC.
— At the end of last year, another serial aircraft joined the flight tests. On such an aircraft, pilots learn piloting techniques both in single flight and in a group, as well as navigation, getting out of a tailspin, and practicing simple aerobatics," she said.
Reliable communication
The ZALA Group of Companies demonstrated the Geocosmos communication and navigation system. It relies on a network of ground stations, forming an information field.
The system can operate without a satellite constellation and at the same time provide high positioning accuracy for both unmanned aircraft and robotic systems used on water and on land. Geocosmos also includes a unique communication system, said Sergey Anatolyevich, Deputy General Director of the ZALA Group of companies.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
For two years, it has been operating in three regions of Russia, where it has proven its effectiveness in conditions with a large amount of electronic interference, he noted.
The bomber in the sky
The Safe Air Environment company presented the Kargat family of heavy quadrocopters. The flagship of the line with the index "15" looks impressive — it is capable of lifting 10 kg of payload into the air.
—The digital communication channel provides a clear picture and resistance to interference, which is critical for working in a difficult combat situation," said Alexander Kirikov, head of the department, engineer, Izvestia.
In a matter of minutes, you can change the equipment on the drone. At first, it's a hunter with a "setcomet". Then there is a heavy transporter for remote mining.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
But the most unusual replacement module is the megaphone. With its help, the device turns into a flying repeater, the sound of which can be heard within a radius of 3 km. The developers are confident that this is an indispensable tool for psychological pressure on the enemy. It will also be useful in coordinating rescue operations.
At the same time, the company is storming speed records. She is developing an interceptor drone that has overcome a speed of 250 km/h in tests.
— The final goal is to reach 350 km/h, which will make the drone an extremely effective interceptor. For him, we are also implementing auto—guidance in order to destroy enemy drones almost automatically," Kirikov shared his plans.
A network for the "Fierce"
The Mechanical Protection System company brought to the exhibition a solution that is called the last frontier: it is an elastic network made of domestic synthetic fiber. Unlike rigid barriers, this "web" smoothly dampens the impact energy.
— This is the first technology of its kind in the world. Our network is electrically neutral, so we are already using it to close the Federal Air Transport Agency's locators — there is no interference to the signals," Dmitry Dorofeev, the company's CEO, told Izvestia.
Photo: the press service of the company "Mechanical protection systems"
Image Source: iz.ru
The economics of the solution impresses with pragmatism. At a price of 300 rubles per square meter and a service life of 10 years, the grid is becoming the most budget-friendly way to protect oil depots or substations from drone attacks.
— We protect many Russian industrial enterprises. Our network even stopped heavy "Fierce" drones, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces use to attack our facilities. Moreover, it also works in the water, protecting ports and ship parking areas from underwater attacks," Dorofeev emphasized.
Pocket Kalashnikov
The ultra-small Karakurt and Goliath drones were shown at the Kalashnikov Concern stand. The main hit is the Karakurt drone in a transport tube. The compact container serves as both a charging case and a launch platform.
— A fighter does not need a flat ground. I pressed the button and the drone jumped out of the tube 7 m up, and you can immediately scout around the nearest corner or forest strip," Stanislav Kozyrev, a representative of the Kalashnikov concern, explained to Izvestia.
"Karakurt 2.0"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
The Karakurt 2.0 with a thermal imager has been developed for night hunting, and the Goliath is available for more serious ranges. It operates within a 10 km radius and, unlike purely reconnaissance models, can carry up to 0.5 kg of explosives.
The main emphasis in this line of machines is on simplicity, so operator training takes less than a week.
Active military personnel also showed their developments at the exhibition. For example, at one of the stands, soldiers of the Volunteer Assault Corps of the Russian Armed Forces demonstrate a prototype of an interceptor drone. According to the fighters, the development is based on the experience gained at the front. The drone is capable of covering both stationary objects and military equipment on the march.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Julia Leonova
