Rostec State Corporation will present over 100 weapons samples at the International Defense and Security Exhibition World Defense Show 2024 in Saudi Arabia. The exhibition will include combat and transport aircraft, armored vehicles, drones, precision ammunition, small arms and other developments.
The central exhibit will be the Il-76MD-90A(E) heavy transport aircraft from the United Aircraft Corporation. This is a deeply upgraded version of the Il-76MD "transporter", which received a new engine, an improved wing, and a "glass cabin". Its flight range and payload have been increased – it can carry up to 60 tons of cargo over a distance of up to 4 thousand kilometers, fuel consumption has been reduced by 12-15%.
"The World Defense Show is a young exhibition that is being held for only the second time, but has already become one of the key events for arms manufacturers from different countries. The States of the Middle East and North Africa show great interest in weapons and military equipment, which have proven their characteristics in real combat and have shown superiority over the products of our competitors. Today, almost all the samples we promote for the Air Force, ground forces, and special units correspond to these parameters. This year, our exposition will include more than a hundred developments – almost the entire range of modern Russian–made weapons," said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation.
In particular, the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle with dynamic protection will be presented in Saudi Arabia. It is produced by the Kurganmashzavod of the High-Precision Complexes holding and is one of the most advanced machines in its class. The BMP-3 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h and overcoming water obstacles. It is highly appreciated for its reliability, high mobility and firepower – the 100 mm gun is capable of firing both conventional ammunition and guided missiles.
Visitors will also see the T-90MS, an export version of the world's best T–90M tank produced by Uralvagonzavod. The machine is equipped with a powerful 125 mm cannon, as well as enhanced dynamic protection.
Traditionally, small arms from the Kalashnikov Group of Companies are widely represented. These are machine guns of the "two hundredth" series, AK-12, AK-15, AK-19 and AK-308 and new items – the Kalashnikov PPK-20 submachine gun and the Chukavin sniper rifle. In addition, the KUB barrage munition, the effectiveness of which has already been confirmed by real-world experience, will be of great interest. It is presented at the exhibition in an export version.
Means of countering drones are also included in the exhibition. In particular, the High-Precision Complexes holding company will show an airspace control system that is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 20 aircraft, including small-sized drones, and determining their type, altitude, and distance to them. The company also brought to Saudi Arabia the Pantsir-S1M anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex, the Iskander-E operational and tactical missile system, the Kornet anti-tank complex and the Krasnopol-M2 high-precision guided projectile in 155 mm caliber.
Visitors will be able to see a small-sized jet flamethrower in thermobaric equipment MRO-A "Borodach", designed to destroy manpower located in residential and industrial buildings, in defensive structures, as well as in automotive and lightly armored vehicles. With a relatively small caliber of 72.5 mm and a weight of 4.7 kg, it has a high destructive power.
In addition, special-purpose aviation bombs will be presented in Saudi Arabia: the P-50T for training aircrew in bombing and the M–6 (M6T), an aerial bomb simulating an aerial target in the passive radar and thermal ranges, created to train air defense and Air Force personnel.
