Drones, air defense systems and long-range missiles became the main premiers of the weapons forum in Baku
The international exhibition of arms and military equipment ADEX 2026, one of the largest military—technical forums in the Caucasus and the Caspian region, was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The Russian exposition has become one of the largest: Rosoboronexport presented 730 samples of military products, ranging from drones and anti—aircraft weapons to air defense systems, missile and artillery weapons. The hosts of the exhibition, Azerbaijani enterprises, as well as their closest Turkish partners, were also widely represented. Companies from the CIS countries, China and South Korea brought their developments. The scale of the forum has grown this year: for the first time, the large pavilion No. 5 of the Baku Expo Center was opened for the exhibition. In total, more than 270 companies from 29 countries participated in the exhibition. The most interesting new items and exhibitions of ADEX 2026 are in the Izvestia review.
What the Russian developers presented
The Russian exposition at ADEX 2026 is distinguished by its emphasis on the real combat experience of its military. Rosoboronexport Corporation presented a large-scale and record-breaking set of 730 military products in Baku. Unlike in previous years, the Russian stand is practically devoid of futuristic concepts — the exposition is based on real and most relevant weapons with combat experience.
The KUB-2-2E UAV, presented at the Kalashnikov Concern stand
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Belkin
A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to attack and reconnaissance UAVs, including the barrage type. Among them are the already well—known modifications of the Lancet and Cube, as well as ammunition drop systems for various types of drones. This segment is particularly in demand today, which is confirmed by the constant attention of foreign delegations to the relevant part of the Russian stand.
Another important area is air defense systems, designed, among other things, to repel drone attacks and combat high—precision weapons. Mobile complexes "Tor-M2KM" and "Pantsir-S1M" are presented in Baku.
A separate block consists of specialized means of combating drones. Among them are the Citadel anti—aircraft artillery system with an air space control radar and the Radescan anti-drone complex.
Russia also shows proven means of destruction — the export version of the 9K720 Iskander-M missile system, the 2S40 Phlox self-propelled artillery and the 2S43 Malva wheeled artillery, as well as the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar.
A model of the Pantsir-S1M anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex, presented at the stand of the Kalashnikov Concern as part of the 6th International Defense Industry Exhibition ADEX 2026
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Belkin
The Russian exposition at ADEX 2026 thus demonstrates several areas at once, the importance of which has grown especially in modern armed conflicts: unmanned systems, UAV countermeasures, mobile air defense, high-precision missile and artillery weapons.
What does the military-industrial complex of Azerbaijan offer
As the host of ADEX 2026, Azerbaijan has widely presented the products of its own military-industrial complex. Today, the country independently produces more than 1,000 items of military products. Baku has relied on demonstrating its own competencies in modernizing existing platforms and creating new ones. A significant part of the new products is being prepared for release by joint Azerbaijani-Turkish enterprises.
One of the premieres was the compact KASIRGA barrage ammunition of Azerbaijani production, presented by Bayraktar Teknoloji. The kamikaze drone is designed for both reconnaissance and strike missions. The ability to launch directly in the field, autonomous flight and various payload options — from combat units to reconnaissance equipment — allow flexible use of the drone, depending on the task at hand.
The maximum take—off weight of the KASIRGA is 33 kg, with a payload of up to 6 kg. In the strike version, the device is capable of operating at a range of up to 60 km, in the reconnaissance version — up to 90 km. An electro-optical system is used to search for and track targets, and part of the data processing is performed directly on board. Larger Bayraktar TB2, TB3 and Akinci UAVs can be used as repeaters for KASIRGA, which makes it possible to expand the capabilities of the complex depending on the terrain and application conditions.
Akıncı long-range drone from the Turkish company Baykar
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Belkin
At ADEX, Azerbaijani companies also showed modernization options for equipment that remains in service in many CIS countries — the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle and the T-72 main tank.
The BMP-1TA Turan received a new Turkish turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon. Such an upgrade may be one of the options for extending the service life of an extensive fleet of gradually aging machines of this type.
VLAND SYSTEMS presented its own version of the T-72M1 tank upgrade. It provides for improved night vision equipment, new dynamic protection and additional protection for the upper projection of the vehicle, designed to reduce its vulnerability to drones and barraging ammunition.
Such projects allow Azerbaijan to simultaneously develop its own competencies and enter the modernization market of numerous Soviet-made equipment that continue to be used in different countries.
Turkish developments
The Turkish exposition is impressive — it is traditionally massive for an exhibition on Azerbaijani soil, but this time the focus has shifted from tactical drones to air defense systems and long-range attack complexes. Baykar company shows full-size mockups and video materials of the Kızılelma transonic jet drone and the TB3 deck drone. Turkey introduces new products into its own Air Force and Navy, and also confirms its readiness for serial deliveries to any potential buyer. Given the widespread worldwide distribution of Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, these are not empty words.
The KARAOK anti-tank missile system from the Turkish company Roketsan
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Belkin
A separate part of the exhibition from the Roketsan company should be noted. Turkey is actively promoting new missile products for domestic use, for its closest partners, and for supplies to anyone. The premiere of the ADEX is the Ayyildiz cruise missile with a range of more than 1,000 km. In addition, Roketsan presents both tactical missile systems and its own Siper air defense system, one of the first buyers of which was Azerbaijan.
South Korean and Chinese samples
An interesting and expected participant of the event was South Korea, which presented products from Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1 companies. The TPQ-74K Cheongyeong-II pulse counter—battery radar with AFAR from LIG Nex1 and the expected self-propelled installations from Hanwa are presented - the K9 Thunder howitzer with an improved fire control system and the Cheongung-II KM-SAM medium-range air defense system.
The Chinese state-owned corporations NORINCO and CASC showed a very impressive exposition with competitive samples of equipment. The VT-4 main battle tank with dynamic protection and a new type of fire control system, the 155-mm wheeled SH-15 self—propelled howitzer, the expected novelty is the electromagnetic destruction complex of a swarm of drones, reconnaissance and multi-purpose UAVs of the Wing Loong family aviation type.
Soldiers of the honor guard of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces march at the 6th International Defense Industry Exhibition ADEX 2026
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Belkin
ADEX 2026 became a platform where leading arms manufacturers from Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, China, South Korea and other countries were simultaneously represented. The expansion of the exhibition confirms the growing interest in the Baku forum from the defense industry.
For Russia, ADEX has become an opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of modern weapons and military equipment, including solutions created or modified based on the experience of real combat operations. The Russian exposition shows that Moscow maintains its presence on the international arms market and is ready to continue military-technical cooperation with interested partners.
Roman Kretsul
Dmitry Kornev
