Russia displays Goliath-RU tactical drone with 4 km range at World Defense Show 2026.

At World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, Russia’s Kalashnikov Group presented the Goliath-RU, a mini drone system for short-range tactical reconnaissance.

At World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, Russia’s Kalashnikov Group presented the Goliath-RU mini unmanned aerial system for short-range tactical reconnaissance. The 1.2 kg VTOL drone offers a 4 km operational range, 40-minute endurance, and day/night surveillance capability. The system is supplied as a multi-UAV kit with a ground control terminal and support equipment.
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The Goliath-RU's navigation system integrates GNSS support combined with radio command and telemetry links, while an automatic return-to-base logic activates in the event of signal loss, maintaining recovery capability within the defined range. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

At World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, the Russian Kalashnikov Group presented the Goliath-RU unmanned aerial system as part of its expanding small reconnaissance drone portfolio for military and security users. The system is built around a mini-UAV intended to conduct real-time aerial reconnaissance, capture and track targets on operator command, and perform additional observation of ground objects at distances up to 4,000 m. Operational altitude is specified at up to 250 m, placing the system within a short-range tactical envelope. Like many drones used in Ukraine, the Goliath-RU emphasizes vertical launch from ground positions and direct control through a remote terminal.

The Goliath family originates from a program focused on compact rotary-wing UAVs developed by UVS Avia, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Group, for tactical reconnaissance missions. Earlier versions weighed slightly over 1 kg and incorporated integrated optical equipment in a quad-rotor vertical takeoff and landing configuration. The baseline concept centered on providing situational awareness over frontline or monitored areas without external weapon payloads. Transport cases with integrated battery charging capability were part of the operational concept to support repeated sorties. Development progressed through iterative updates based on operational testing and user feedback, including trials conducted during military operations in Ukraine in 2024–2025.

As one of the newest members of the Goliath family, the Goliath-RU weighs 1,200 g with a payload capacity of 500 g. Maximum flight speed reaches 35 km/h, endurance is specified at 40 minutes, and the operational ceiling is 250 m. Flight range is defined at 4,000 m, aligning with the system’s stated reconnaissance distance capability. Launch type is vertical and ground-based, consistent with multirotor VTOL operation from confined areas. Propulsion relies on electric motor-propeller groups powered by onboard batteries, and navigation integrates GNSS support combined with radio command and telemetry links. Automatic return-to-base logic activates in the event of signal loss, maintaining recovery capability within the defined range.

The delivered system components include two UAVs in transport containers equipped with daytime video cameras and two UAVs in transport containers equipped with night video cameras. A single remote terminal is supplied for control and reception of live video and telemetry data. The package also includes one transportation container or case, a set of operational documentation, and a set of spare parts to support field maintenance. The delivery configuration can be modified upon customer request, allowing adjustment of quantities or equipment combinations. This structure defines the Goliath-RU as a complete reconnaissance kit rather than a single air vehicle. The integration of day and night sensor variants supports continuous surveillance capability across varying light conditions.

In January 2026 at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Kalashnikov also introduced the upgraded Goliath 2.0 variant alongside the Karakurt 2.0 mini-UAV. Goliath 2.0 has a maximum takeoff mass of up to 1,500 g, endurance of up to 40 minutes, a line-of-sight operational range of up to 10 km, and a ceiling of 500 m above the operator. The propulsion system remains electric with replaceable batteries powering four propeller-motor groups. Communications incorporate encrypted radio links with pseudo-random frequency hopping to maintain command, control, and telemetry under electronic interference conditions. Navigation combines GNSS reception with optical positioning functionality to retain stability when satellite signals are disrupted at shorter distances. The configuration focuses on optical-electronic reconnaissance and integration into wider information networks.

The Goliath 2.0 sensor suite consists of a stabilized three-axis gimbal carrying a high-resolution daytime camera and a thermal imager. The daytime camera operates at 1920 × 1080 resolution with up to 30× hybrid zoom, while the thermal imager operates at 640 × 480 resolution with 4× digital zoom. Operator assistance features include automatic target capture and tracking, obstacle avoidance, and threat warning functions for detecting nearby aerial hazards. The operating temperature range extends from -25°C to +50°C, enabling deployment in diverse climates. The Karakurt 2.0 variant has a 500 g takeoff mass, endurance up to 20 minutes, range up to 2.5 km, and a ceiling of 250 m, using a two-axis stabilized gimbal and transport-launch container concept. Both systems are integrated into an inter-service information exchange architecture capable of relaying video, telemetry, object detection, and tracking data to command posts and networked control centers, with foreign customer interest and export discussions ongoing without public identification of specific buyers.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.