RuAviation

Kalashnikov Concern took part in two major defense industry exhibitions in April 2026: Defense Services Asia in Kuala Lumpur and Innoprom: Central Asia in Tashkent. The company presented a portfolio of unmanned aerial systems spanning military and dual-use applications, highlighting ongoing efforts to position its platforms for both defense and civilian markets.

At Defense Services Asia, held from April 20–23 in Malaysia, Kalashnikov introduced its KUB-2E and KUB-E guided loitering munitions, the RUS-PE portable reconnaissance-strike system, and the upgraded SKAT 350M surveillance UAV. According to the company, the KUB-2E is fitted with a thermobaric warhead intended for use against personnel and armored targets. The KUB-E variant is designed to engage stationary unarmored targets, either individually or in groups, with real-time control enabling precision strikes on designated coordinates.

The SKAT 350M UAV system is positioned as a multi-role platform for both civil and military applications. In the civilian domain, it is used to monitor oil and gas pipelines, power transmission infrastructure, transportation networks, and agricultural areas, particularly in remote regions. In military configurations, the system operates alongside KUB loitering munitions, supporting reconnaissance, target designation, geolocation, and post-strike assessment.

Across both exhibitions, the SKAT 350M was shown in an updated configuration featuring an expanded communications architecture, including additional data links and a broader operating frequency range. The company reported that more than 40 software and control system updates were implemented in 2025, informed by operational experience in combat conditions in Ukraine. These enhancements allow dynamic switching between communication channels to improve resilience against electronic warfare systems and GPS spoofing.

The platform relies on optical navigation and is designed to operate in environments where satellite navigation is unavailable or disrupted. It offers an endurance of up to four hours, a range of at least 240 km (149 miles), a wingspan of 3.2 meters (10.5 feet), and an operating altitude envelope between 300 and 5,000 meters (985–16,400 feet). Reduced acoustic and vibrational signatures improve the stability of onboard electro-optical systems and data transmission to ground control stations.

Developers state that the SKAT 350M was engineered for operation in a wide range of climatic and geographic conditions. Earlier variants of the system reportedly completed high-altitude trials in the Himalayas, reaching elevations above 9,000 meters (29,500 feet). Kalashnikov also notes growing demand for its unmanned systems across Central and Southeast Asia, where it continues to promote both military and civilian variants of its platforms.