- Russia unveiled the Forpost-RE drone, a localized version of the Israeli IAI Searcher Mk II, for export at Dubai Airshow 2025.
- Manufacturer UZGA claims the drone uses entirely Russian components and is free from sanctions restrictions.
Russia has begun actively promoting an export version of its Forpost-R unmanned aircraft — a licensed copy of the Israeli IAI Searcher Mk II — at the Dubai Airshow 2025.
The aircraft, manufactured by the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA), was presented publicly in its new export configuration known as Forpost‑RE. UZGA released a promotional video ahead of the presentation and described the drone as fully localized using domestic components.
According to UZGA, “The competitive advantage of the Russian unmanned aerial vehicle Forpost‑RE is absolute protection from sanctions due to completely Russian components and many years of successful experience in zones of real combat operations. It has passed all tests and is supplied in series to the troops.”
The Forpost platform, originally based on the Israeli Searcher under license, has been used by Russian forces for reconnaissance and strike missions in Ukraine, Syria, and other conflict zones. The export model is marketed as a multi-role UAV capable of operating in a wide range of climates and performing both intelligence gathering and precision strike tasks.
As noted by the company, the Forpost‑RE is designed for “performing reconnaissance and strike missions across a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions (at temperatures from -40°C to +50°C).”
UZGA says the drone can conduct continuous aerial surveillance of land or maritime targets and deliver guided or unguided bombs and rockets. The manufacturer also highlights the drone’s autonomous landing and takeoff system.
According to UZGA, “The Forpost‑RE has an automatic takeoff and landing system — the UAV lands using laser radiation and runway video monitoring, including in the absence of signals from the global satellite navigation system.”
The plant states that recent upgrades have expanded the drone’s payload options. “Thanks to modernization, the complex received new payloads that greatly expanded the range of its applications,” the company said.
UZGA also announced that it is ready to tailor the export version for foreign customers. “If needed by foreign clients, specialists of UZGA are ready to equip the Forpost‑RE export complex with new payloads that interest the buyer,” the statement said.
The promotional push indicates Russia’s intention to position the Forpost‑RE as an affordable, sanction-proof UAV for countries seeking reconnaissance and limited strike capability. The export pitch also leverages the aircraft’s track record in active conflicts, a selling point the manufacturer emphasizes in its messaging.
Israel, which originally licensed production of the Searcher to Russia before halting cooperation in 2014, declined to comment on Russia’s decision to market a derivative of its design on the international stage.