Russian rotorcraft at Dubai Airshow 2023.
DUBAI—Russian industry is making its presence felt here at the Dubai Airshow, despite Moscow’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine.
The country’s key defense players—Rostec Group, United Aircraft Corporation, ground-based air defense supplier Almaz-Antey and Russian Helicopters, along with Russian defense export firm Rosnobornexport—are present at the show. Several of the companies are holding court in a specially established exhibition area on the static display.
The major Russian presence, backed up by the Russian Air Force’s Russian Knights aerobatic team in the flying display, is arguably the country’s largest at a major international air show this year.
Dubai remains one of the handful of international shows still welcoming the presence of Russian industry, despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. Even Russia’s own international air show, the MAKS event in Moscow planned for August, was postponed in May. Officials have said they are now planning for a 2024 edition of MAKS.
Headlining the Russian presence in Dubai is the debut international appearance of the modernized Ilyushin Il-76MD90 four-engine heavy airlifter. It uses Aviadvigatel’s PS-90 turbofan engine, replacing the Soloviev D-30KP which powered most models of the aircraft. Rostec says it is the first time in 30 years that an aircraft “in this class” has been demonstrated overseas.
“Dubai Airshow is one of the main international exhibitions for Rostec, where we traditionally demonstrate the achievements of the domestic aviation industry,” Vladimir Artyakov, Rostec State Corp.’s first deputy general director, said in a Nov. 10 press release.
“Participation in the event gives us a valuable opportunity to directly interact with potential partners and clients from the Middle East,” Artyakov added.
Also present are four rotorcraft from the Russian Helicopters stable, including the latest commercial version of the Mi-8/17 family of twin-engine helicopters, the Mi-171A3, which has been developed to support the offshore energy industry. This is joined by the co-axial Kamov Ka-32A11M firefighting helicopter and the Ansat, a twin-engine light helicopter.
Russian Helicopters’ defense lineup is headlined by the Kamov Ka-52 co-axial attack helicopter, an aircraft whose export opportunities may have been diminished after a high number of losses in the Ukraine campaign. Last October [2022], the UK defense ministry stated there had been 23 verified losses of the Ka-52 in action in Ukraine, then equivalent to 25% of the Russian Air Force’s fleet, and more have been lost since.
Militaries here in the region make extensive use of Russian military equipment, but less so Russian aircraft and helicopters. Many regional governments nations are instead watching Russia’s developing relationship with Tehran, given recent deliveries of Yakolev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers and the possible delivery of more advanced combat aircraft to follow.
