Aircraft
Russian Knights Lead Dubai Presence
Russia’s aerospace industry is making a rare international appearance in Dubai
Russian Knights at Dubai Airshow 2023
The Russian Knights display team flies a mix of Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. (Photo: David McIntosh)

Despite being barred from exhibiting at many of the world’s aviation exhibitions and trade shows, Russia’s aerospace industry projects a significant presence at the Dubai Airshow, with a large dedicated pavilion adjoining the static display. The industry’s attendance highlights the return to Dubai of the air and space force’s Russian Knights display team, which flies a mix of Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters.

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec State Corporation and encompassing the greater majority of Russia’s fixed-wing aircraft output, features a number of its products in the pavilion. One of them—the latest version of the Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter—has been a popular aircraft for both commercial and military cargo/airlift operations in the Middle East.