The annual International Military-Technical Forum ARMY, launched in 2015, has already become one of the most renowned global defense shows. It is organized and fully supported by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and combines the exhibition and dynamic demonstration of military equipment capabilities with extensive congress program and large participation of international audience represented by foreign exhibitors, delegations and visitors. The 8th International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2022 will be held from 15 till 21 of August 2022, at Patriot Expo, Kubinka Air Base and Alabino military training grounds.

Russian Ministry of Defense: "The results of the Forum ARMY strongly suggest that in recent seven years it has turned into one of the world's leading exhibition of armament and military equipment, the authoritative platform for discussing innovative ideas and developments for the armed forces".

"Forum Army is a unique platform for demonstration of the best achievements in military field being represented with modern and advanced units of smart weapon, military equipment and technologies, construction and maintenance projects, as well as outstanding opportunity for companies and enterprises to demonstrate its products for further integration into cooperation within military-industrial complex", - emphasizes the Russian MoD.

Major international defense-related media have extensively covered the ARMY expos both distantly and by visiting the event in person. In 2021 the Defence Review Asia called the expo a 'success', while the DefenseMirror stressed, that the Russian MoD signed contracts worth billions at the show.

We provide the highlights of the ARMY-2021 coverage by the media of different countries.

India

The ARMY expo has always been in the Indian media's focus. Last year India's Financial Express published the Russia offers latest small arms and light weapons for the Indian Army story, highlighting the prospects of the Russia-India cooperation in the field of infantry weapons.

"Ahead of the inauguration of the Army 2021 Expo in Moscow on Sunday, Rosoboronexport JSC expressed its readiness to offer to India the whole range of small arms and light weapons, including assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, submachine guns, pistols, grenade launchers etc.", wrote Financial Express's Huma Siddiqui.

The article stressed, that all what was being offered to India had been tested and was known for their reliability, and lots of these weapons had proven their effectiveness in real combat use. Russia had also developed technical means to train small arms use, which can be integrated into a joint virtual environment to conduct full-scale training sessions.

The Financial Express added that in total, representatives of around 150 countries were invited through the Ministry of Defense of Russia, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of Russia and the Rostec State Corporation.

"For the first time the newest T-14 Armata tank, combat vehicles based on the Boomerang combat platform will be displayed. And, the Orion-E reconnaissance/strike UAV, which is the star of this year, the Antey-4000 battlefield anti-aircraft missile system designed to equip the land forces, and the Pantsir-S1M air defense gun/missile system are being displayed. There are going to be the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, helicopters, the BK-16 high-speed landing boat, and the latest small arms,” the Financial Express quoted Rosoboronexport's CEO Alexander Mikheev.

"What will be of interest for the Indian Army during the expo will be small arms. This includes Kalashnikov AK-100 series, AK-200 series, AK-12, AK-15 and AK-19 assault rifles. On display will also be KORD assault rifles, sniper rifles and machine guns which are being manufactured by the Kalashnikov Concern and the Degtyarev Plant, which are part of the Rostec State Corporation"

The Indian Zee News published the video report on the AK203 assault rifle.

"AK-203 is the latest version of the AK-47 rifle. India planned to purchase 7,00000 AK-203 from Russia. Watch this report of DNA to know more".

Hindu's Dinakar Peri in his Moscow-Delhi cooperation analysis piece outlined the major bilateral joint defense programs and their prospects.

"FSMTC Director Dmitry Shugaev said there was a good order portfolio equal to about $15 bn with India under way and the deal for the production of AK-203 assault rifles through a joint venture was on”.

The Aviation & Defence Universe made a report on the famous Russian Knights aerobatic team's performance showing the unrivalled capabilities of the Su-35 multifunctional fighter jets.

"Russian Knights, the aerobatic group will demonstrate its updated program to the guests of the ARMY 2021 International Military and Technical Forum. It includes several new elements. For example, when demonstrating group aerobatics in the composition of six crews, the group will perform a turn and Nesterov loop in a row in the afterburner mode of the engines. After the first disbandment, as part of four crews in a diamond formation, the Russian Knights will perform a bunch of several rotations: a group roll, a loop with a 180-degree turn on the descending part and an ear maneuver, including a combat turn, half roll and half roll.

In addition to the Russian Knights, the crews of the aerobatic teams Swifts and Berkuts will show their skills during ARMY 2021 International Military and Technical Forum. Separately, it should be noted that during the forum pair aerobatics will be demonstrated on Su-57 aircraft. In total, an air show of more than 30 modern and promising aircraft complexes was planned to demonstrate the flight technical capabilities".

The DefenseMirror highlighted the demonstration of the weapons that ‘proved’ themselves in Syria to the Saudi Arabian delegation.

"Saudi Arabian delegation taking part in Army-2021 Forum in Kubinka outside Moscow were shown some of the weapons that ‘proved’ themselves in Syria. On August 23, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu thanked Deputy Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khaled bin Salman for his visit to the VII International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2021".

From Jakarta to Buenos-Aires

The ARMY-2021 was covered by WAM – the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates. In its UAE’s IDEX an important platform to promote Kalashnikov products in Gulf: CEO report WAM highlighted the latest Kalashnikov group's products premiered at the global arms market.

"This year’s International Defence Exhibition and the Naval Defence Exhibition (IDEX and NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi has helped promote Kalashnikov products in the Arabian Gulf region, according to the top executive of the Kalashnikov group of companies, the largest Russian arms manufacturer globally known for its AK-47 rifles".

"We hope that our new 9 mm submachine gun PPK-20 will be of particular interest to the special and security forces in the Gulf region," – WAM quoted Vladimir Lepin, CEO of the group.

The Kalashnikov unveiled at the ARMY-2021 a prototype of PPK-20 submachine gun among other promising products.

"The submachine gun can also serve as PDW (Personal Defence Weapon), a firearm for combat vehicle crews or various support units, and for special force units that operate in urban areas, inside structures and vehicles, and in crowded environments. The company also displayed the production version of the brand-new MP-155 Ultima SMART shotgun at ARMY-2021. The gun is designed to meet the requirements of modern users who cannot go without hi-tech gadgets. Its world debut took place at IDEX in February 2021 in Abu Dhabi", - reported WAM.

"Kalashnikov has always been identical as an assault rifle manufacturer, but there is something new from the International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2021, where for the first time Kalashnikov has released a prototype Submachine Gun (SMG) that carries a NATO caliber of 9х19 mm, which is the PPK-20", - wrote on the PPK-20 the Indonesian Indomiliter.

The Indomiliter also covered in details the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, mounted on the Typhoon MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle.

"Continuing the generation of the legendary Kornet anti-tank missile, at the International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2021, Russia is displaying a new variant of the Kornet missile which is labeled the Kornet-EM multipurpose long-range missile system. It is mounted on the K-armoured platform. Kornet-EM is expected to destroy modern tanks equipped with dynamic protection, light armored vehicles, enemy stronghold bases, to low-speed air targets (helicopters and drones). And of course, this new missile can be used throughout the day, in extreme weather conditions and in conditions of electronic and optical interference from opponents".

Africa and Latin America

ARMY-2021 was also covered by the media in Africa – for example, the Nigerian Military Africa published a large overview of the small arms, combat helicopters etc. In its Army 2021: Kalashnikov introduces modular AKV-521 carbine it analyzed the newest Kalashanikov civil firearm.

"For the first time, Kalashnikov Group will demonstrate AKV-521 civilian carbine at the International Military-Technical Forum “ARMY-2021”. The carbine is based on the reliable and time-tested AK design (gas-operated system, locking mechanism, magazine, trigger group, muzzle brake, pistol grip, and buttstock). The solutions implemented in the AKV-521 carbine have proven their effectiveness as they are applied in small arms in various countries worldwide: upper and lower receiver, the full-length 1913-MIL-STD/Picatinny-type rail, and the detachable charging handle".

The Military Africa also reported in details on the Mi-24/35 combat helicopter family.

"The rotorcraft was produced both for the Soviet army and for export sales being designated as Mi-35P. The combat application history of Mi-24/35 type helicopters includes over 30 military conflicts worldwide. Mi-24/35 type helicopters were the first Russian-made rotorcraft designed specifically for the combat operations. The design of the helicopter was such a success that its modified versions are still in operation".

The Nigerian journalists specified the advantages of the Mi-35P version.

"The updated Mi-35P features high standards of reliability, combat effectiveness and survivability, wide application possibilities. Same as Mi-24P the aircraft can be used as a combat helicopter for destruction of tanks and other armored vehicles, as a troop-carrier for airlifting of 8 troopers, as an ambulance for transportation of two casualties and a medical attendant, and a cargo-carrier for transportation of cargoes inside the cargo cabin".

The Armyrecognition international military media covered the ARMY-2021 in much details. One of its stories was dedicated to the modernized light multipurpose Ka-226T Climber helicopter.

"The upgraded Ka-226T differs significantly from the Ka-226 family. The helicopter has a new airframe design with substantially improved aerodynamics. The fuselage is made using modern lightweight materials, the helicopter's control and electrical system have been modernized, and an impact-resistant fuel system that meets increased safety requirements has been installed. At the same time, fuel tanks volume has been increased with the provision of centralized refuelling. A new complex of pilot navigation and radio communication equipment was also added. The helicopter is ideally suited for high-altitude flights, and his working project received a new title "Climber". It is characterized by low vibration, ease and simplicity of operation, the ability to take off and land on small size sites, including in urban infrastructure, high accuracy of hovering even when carrying cargo on the external suspension, safe passengers boarding with working rotors".

Another piece was about the latest Russian parachute system.

"Technodinamika holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) is testing a new parachute capable of landing combat swimmers in full gear directly onto the water. The system allows the combat swimmer to quickly and safely get rid of the parachute and proceed with their combat mission underwater. The parachute system capable of landing combat swimmers in full gear directly onto the water was developed by specialists of the Polyot Ivanovo Parachute Plant of the Technodinamika holding company. It can be used for airdrops at altitudes up to 8,000 m at an aircraft speed of 140-350 km/h. The 37.2 m2 ram-air type parachute provides a carrying capacity of up to 225 kg, allowing to fasten special diving equipment and deploy a diver in full gear. In addition, there is a mount for a universal cargo strap providing 130 kg of capacity".

The Zona-Militar from Argentina summarized the results of the ARMY-2021 expo in its Russia wins contracts worth more than 2 billion euros at the Army 2021 exhibition overview.

"The company Rosoboronexport held more than 70 negotiations with representatives of 35 countries during the International Military-Technical Forum ARMY 2021. Its general director, Alexander Mikheev, stated that “based on the results of the negotiations held with foreign partners within the framework of the ARMY-2021 forum, Rosoboronexport concluded about 20 contractual documents for a total amount of more than 2 billion euros”. Under the agreements signed with foreign customers, Rosoboronexport will export in the coming years the production of Russian companies in the defense sector for all branches of the armed forces, as well as means of radio-electronic warfare and anti-aircraft defense".

The first-hand impressions from the expo was delivered by the South African Ultimate Defense magazine.

"A large number of private Russian companies, many of which already perform defence work, took part in the annual Army forum, which ran from 22–28 August, while other small private companies sought to attract the attention, and contracts, from Russia’s largest contractors. In total more than 50 new weapon systems were on display at the forum. While behind the scenes meetings and forums taking place, thousands of visitors were drawn to the displays of military might. As foreign media we were impressed by the sheer size of the Kubinka Air Base and Alabino military training grounds.

One of the new activities featured during the event was the robotics competition showcasing military robots designed for combat operations, reconnaissance, mine clearing, extinguishing fires, and operating in hazardous environments".