The latest news from MAKS air show Russia, 2017

The largest in history

Organisers claim this year’s MAKS is the largest in history, both in terms of the number of participants attending and new aircraft displayed. They say 700 Russian and 200 international companies are attending MAKS 2017.

At the M.M. Gromov aerodrome (LII for short) 150 aircraft are on display this year: 18 Air and Space Forces (VCS) aircraft; 116 civil aircraft; and numerous unmanned aircraft.

Introducing new Russian aircraft

President Putin congratulated MAKS participants, noting that the air show will exhibit new aircraft that not only demonstrate Russia's strong position in military aircraft manufacture, but also the achievements of Russians in the field of civil aviation.

Making its debut today is the long-awaited Mikoyan MiG-35, a multirole fighter, displayed on a multimedia platform with full combat equipment.

The MiG-35 will replace the aging MiG-29. The new model has many characteristics of a fifth generation MiG, and therefore is assigned the index 4 ++.

Also appearing for the first time is Arctic helicopter Mi-8AMTSH-VA (known as "Terminator"), which Russia claims has no counterpart or analog in international aviation.

The manufacturer Russian Helicopters presented their unmanned helicopter VRT 300, capable of carrying up to 154 pounds (70 kg) of cargo. The VRT 300 is likely to be used in Arctic exploration, as well as in the delivery of medicines and other goods to remote and hard-to-reach regions.

Other new aircraft displayed included the Yak-152, a Russian primary trainer aircraft from the Yakovlev Design Bureau, and the formerly Czech and now Russian twin-engine turboprop L-410.

MAKS 2017: big business on the second day of Russia’s largest air show

The second day of MAKS – Russia’s largest air show – is traditionally a time when big business is done, falling in the middle of the six-day event’s three “business days”, when pitching to delegations and buyers dominates.

Yesterday (July 19th) was no exception. Air Charter Service's reporters say five deals became big news around the air show, held at Zhukovsky near Moscow. Here is a quick round-up:

Algeria and Myanmar purchased the YAK-130 light fighter

The Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft, a subsonic two-seat trainer aircraft marketed as a potential light attack aircraft, is doing strong business at MAKS. Myanmar and Algeria both purchased the jets, manufactured by the Irkut Corporation, for the first time. Other countries that own the YAK-130 include Syria, Bangladesh and Belarus, as well as Russia. Further information on the deals, including the number of fighters purchased, is not available.

MiG-35 found (anonymous) buyers

The new multirole fighter MiG-35, undisputed star of this year’s MAKS air show, has sold to unknown buyers. The manufacturer of the fighter, Mikoyan, kept their aircraft veiled in secrecy before the opening at MAKS yesterday, and continue to create an atmosphere of mystery around the fighter. The company CEO, Ilya Tarasenko, refused to disclose details of the contracts, commenting that the public will find out “in due time”. So far it is known that the Russian and Egyptian militaries plan to use the multirole fighter from 2018 and 2020 respectively.

Aeroflot buy 20 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft

Russia’s largest airline Aeroflot purchased 20 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft July 19. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a fly-by-wire twin-engine regional jet. This purchase brings the total number of Sukhoi Superjet 100s in the company fleet to 50, as in 2016 Aeroflot bought 30 of the aircraft. The aircraft is manufactured by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association and designed by Sukhoi.

VIM AVIA and Red Wings purchased 31 MC-21s

The Irkut MC-21, a single-aisle twinjet airliner, developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and produced by Irkut, was selling fast July 19th, with Moscow-based airlines Red Wings and VIM-Avia purchasing 16 and 15 respectively. The airliner first flew in May 2017, after an initial 300 planes rolled out in June 2016. Initial design began in 2006.

UAV Orion-E Premiered

Premiering on the second day of MAKS-2017 was the brand new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Orion-E, from Russian state manufacturer Kronstadt. Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the drone yesterday at a closed show, followed by the industry viewing today. Kronstadt is hoping the Orion-E will be the first Russian UAV to crack the international market. In the area of UAVs and unpiloted aircraft Russia has lagged behind international rivals, both in terms of production for its own military, and of export.