Russian aviation and drone expo highlights proactive import substitution – organizer (VIDEO)

More than 200 companies from countries including Belarus, Iran, and China are showcasing products ranging from navigation systems and engines to jet bridges

Russia’s National Aviation Infrastructure Show (NAIS) and DronTech expo has entered its second day, hosting companies engaged in proactive import substitution and foreign partners, NAIS head of business development Nikita Smirnov has told RT.

The two-day expo opened on Wednesday at the Crocus Expo Center near Moscow, drawing more than 200 companies from Russia, Belarus, Iran, and China. Leading Russian defense contractors, including Kalashnikov, Almaz-Antey, ZALA Aero Group, and Supercam, are showcasing advanced aviation and drone technologies.

Smirnov said over 90% of participants are Russian.

“Ninety-two percent of exhibitors are Russian companies, presenting key solutions in import substitution – even proactive import substitution,” he said, highlighting technologies that outpace Western advances. Smirnov added that this year’s expo includes a large foreign pavilion, stressing that the participation of foreign companies is “extremely important.”

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“We managed to assemble a huge Chinese pavilion,” he said, adding that 15 Chinese companies are presenting solutions from airport infrastructure to lithium-ion batteries and other key UAV components; Belarusian companies are presenting airport ground equipment, and Iranian representatives are sharing experience in developing aviation services under sanctions.

“Iran is a phenomenal case of import substitution, particularly in aviation services under unprecedented sanctions,” he said.

Russian company Supercam is showcasing its S350 reconnaissance drone, the VTOL-capable SX350, and the X4 quadcopter for civilian emergency response. Spokeswoman Ekaterina Zgirovskaya told RT that their products have dual-use applications for civilian and military tasks.

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The expo also debuted the Mi-34M1 light multi-role helicopter, built entirely in Russia, alongside navigation systems, engines, UAV batteries, anti-drone defenses, and driverless tractors. Highlights included ZALA’s GEOKOSMOS autonomous navigation system, Kalashnikov’s SKAT 350M high-altitude UAV, and GetPwr’s semi-solid-state batteries, which reportedly extend flight time by 35%.

The ground infrastructure segment saw the unveiling of Russia’s first domestically produced passenger jet bridge, built by High-Precision Systems Holding to service multiple aircraft classes via a unified electrohydraulic and electromechanical control system.

Apart from the exhibition, the 10th RUSky Awards and 12th Air Gateway of Russia awards ceremony were held, naming Sheremetyevo the airport of the year. On the sidelines, a plenary session on Russia’s sovereign aviation model was held.

The expo also includes a business program with conferences on unmanned aviation, digital technologies, aeronautical information, and applied science. The 13th edition of NAIS runs from February 4-5.