ROSOBORONEXPORT to showcase Russian drones at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi for the first time
Moscow, January 19. JSC ROSOBORONEXPORT (part of the Rostec State Corporation) is organizing a single Russian exhibit at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) & the Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2026 in the United Arab Emirates for the first time. At the event, which will take place from January 20 to 22, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, the special exporter will showcase cutting-edge Russian UAV solutions and discuss the industry’s prospects with delegations from foreign countries.
At its stand the Company is demonstrating battle-proven effective Russian UAVs and loitering munitions that are most in demand in the world market.
“ROSOBORONEXPORT, JSC is launching its marketing campaign for 2026 with the UMEX 2026 exhibition dedicated to unmanned technologies – one of the fastest-growing segments of the global arms market. Russian developers, including those affiliated with the Rostec State Corporation, are actively involved in this field. The range of unmanned solutions they offer includes UAVs of various classes and purposes. According to our projections, demand for UAVs and loitering munitions will grow by 120% and 400% respectively by 2030,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of the JSC ROSOBORONEXPORT. “In Abu Dhabi we are presenting the Kub-2-2E and Lancet-E loitering munitions (the latter holds a record for confirmed target hits), as well as the Skat-350M and Supercam S350 reconnaissance UAVs. We are ready to negotiate supplies from Russia or technology cooperation for these systems, and ROSOBORONEXPORT has already signed export contracts to supply a number of UAVs.”
The Lancet-E heavily upgraded reconnaissance/strike UAV system, presented at UMEX 2026, includes the Z-16E reconnaissance UAV and the Item 51E and Item 52E loitering munitions with a double X-shaped tail from ZALA Aero.
The key distinguishing features of these systems include low radar cross-section (RCS) and acoustic signature, electronic warfare (EW) resistance, precise maneuvering in all planes, as well as rapid deployment and ease of use. According to open sources and military analysts, this system has disabled over 4,000 enemy military vehicles.
The Kub-2-2E loitering munition, developed and manufactured by Kalashnikov Group, is the latest Russian model fitted with an automatic guidance system that has evolved through an analysis of its combat employment. The manufacturer has made it possible to integrate this munition with the Skat-350M reconnaissance UAV, enabling them to operate in tandem.
ROSOBORONEXPORT will also showcase the Karakurt and Goliath UAV systems from the Kalashnikov Group at its stand. They are positioned as effective light reconnaissance UAVs suitable for use at the soldier-squad-platoon level.
Rostec State Corporation is demonstrating various modern warheads for equipping loitering munitions, FPV drones, and other types of UAVs at UMEX 2026. Among them are HE-Frag, incendiary, HEAT-incendiary, training and multi-factor warheads.
On January 21 at 12:00 PM, the Rosoboronexport stand will host a public presentation dedicated to modern Russian unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions.
As part of the exhibition’s business program, ROSOBORONEXPORT will hold meetings and negotiations with delegations from the Middle Eastern countries, as well as from other countries participating in the largest forum dedicated to unmanned systems.
“We’ll compare notes with our partners on current projects and tell them about the development of unmanned technologies in Russia. We’ll also discuss prospects for cooperation, including a new area – military-technological partnerships for products developed by Russia’s ‘people’s’ defence industry,” added Alexander Mikheev.
