Global Military Firepower Is Showcased in Astana

The latest military and aerospace technologies were showcased at the fifth International Exhibition of Weapons Systems and Military Equipment in Astana, Kazakhstan.

KADEX 2018 was a four-day affair, where more than 300 companies from 28 countries showed off their latest productions last week. The world’s second-largest aerospace and defense company, Airbus Group; Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Turkey’s Roketsan, China’s Norinco and Germany’s Rohde & Schwarz had all sent representatives to Kazakhstan’s capital city.

Russia – the world’s second largest military weapons producer behind the U.S. – was represented by eleven holding companies, such as Russian Helicopters and the state-owned Almaz-Antey.

Roughly 300 samples of weapons, including the Mi-38T multi-purpose helicopter, were unveiled Thursday. Mi-38T is a modification of the Mi-38 and has a maximum take-off weight of 15,600 kg, can transport a 6,000 kg payload, and has a cruising speed of 285 km/h.

Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system and a new generation of battle tank support vehicles, dubbed the “Terminator,” were also shown. The Terminator was said to be based on Russia’s T-72 main battle tank. It provides direct attack and defensive support to other tanks on the battlefield, including Russia’s T-90A tank. The vehicle was specifically designed with urban warfare in mind.

The S-400 Triumf, or SA-21 Growler, as it is known by NATO, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to destroy strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical and theatre ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles and other air attack assets, at a maximum range of 400 kilometers. It was developed in the 1990s and described as one of the best air defense systems currently made.

Almaz-Antey’s long-range anti-aircraft missile systems were also shown, such as the S-300VM, Antey-2500 and S-300PMU2 Favorit, as well as Buk and Tor.

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering Group showed 60 samples of military equipment, as well as an additional 150 products for military and civil purposes. Ranked 50 out of 136 countries, Kazakhstan unveiled an armored wheeled vehicle called Alan. With a weight of nearly seven tons, Alan has high ballistic protection, and can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.

Barys 8x8 armored wheel vehicle was also showcased by Kazakhstan at KADEX.

“This machine is the flagship of our production line, as this is the largest machine produced by us,” said Sapar Shamshiyev, the head of the marketing department at Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering.

The mine-resistant flat floor of Barys 8x8 provides advantages in combat and protection against some of the improvised explosive devices. Specially designed anti-blast seats prevent injury from extreme acceleration of a side blast or mine blast under the hull. The vehicle can speed up to 100 kilometers per hour and has a payload of nearly seven tons.

In addition, manufacturers from Kazakhstan’s Tynys Company presented bulletproof vests, as well as headsets for tanks.

Azerbaijan’s military exhibits included a mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) troop-carrier dubbed “Typhoon.” As an armored vehicle weighing roughly 12 tons, Typhoon can provide safe transportation of cargo up to 3,000 kg and up to 10 people. Manufacturers have made it possible to transform the vehicle into an armored ambulance for evacuating the wounded.

Azerbaijan’s exhibit also included multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), long-range mortars, sniper rifles, hand grenades, optical equipment, as well as aerial bombs and missiles.

The International Exhibition of Weapons Systems and Military Equipment, KADEX is held biannually.