Uralvagonzavod's new 57mm AY-220M automatic vehicle gun instantly turned into one of the most popular exhibits on Sunday. Developed by Nizhny Novgorod's Burevestnik Research Institute, the naval gun design-turned vehicular turret saw strong interest from military and civilian participants at the show, and is rumored to have been proposed for service by the UAE Defense Force and its Enigma 8x8 all-terrain fighting vehicle. The flexible and lightweight design features high powered ammunition, high rate of fire, and adaptability for both ground and ground-to-air fire.
Russia's newest turret AY-220M, presented at #IDEX2015, may be mounted on Emirates Defence Technology wheeled ACVs pic.twitter.com/Z1c7sQ5XXp
— Yury Barmin (@yurybarmin) 22 февраля 2015
Other popular Russian designs include the Armatra universal combat platform, to be featured at this year's Victory Day Parade, the Buk surface-to-air missile system, and the new T-90CM tank. It was also rumored that a prototype of the new Atom armored fighting vehicle would appear at the event. Work on the Atom, a joint Uralvagonzavod-Renault Truck design once feared canceled due to Western sanctions against Russia, is now reportedly continuing with as-yet undisclosed new partners.
This was an interesting find on the Russian stand, brochure on latest version of Buk missile system! #IDEX2015 pic.twitter.com/VWCei8Xbc7
— Tony Osborne (@Rotorfocus) 23 февраля 2015
Some of the most popular Russian exhibitors include Kalashnikov, whose exhibit features innovations including combat boat and drone vehicle designs in addition to small arms. The Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building, another popular exhibit, includes small arms designs and comprehensive protection gear and equipment, including the 'Ratnik' infantry outfit.
Russian High Precision Systems presented a new ADS amphibious rifle at #IDEX2015 pic.twitter.com/IcmAkvYz1N
— Yury Barmin (@yurybarmin) 22 февраля 2015
IDEX-2015, running February 22-26, is also being visited by several high-profile Russian officials, including Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade. Manturov is set to negotiate Russian-UAE trade and economic ties with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Monday. Also participating at the event is Russian arms' export agency Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin, who told reporters on Sunday that Russia would fulfil its arms exports expectations for 2015.
Following IDEX, Russian arms makers are expecting to hold several arms exhibitions in Russia itself, including the ARMY 2015 exhibition in Kubinka, Moscow region in July, and the Russia Arms Expo 2015 in Nizhny Tagil in September, which will feature demonstrations of equipment in combat conditions.
