Russia and the United Arab Emirates are considering holding the trials of the latest Orion-E reconnaissance drone developed by Russia’s Kronshtadt Group, the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation told TASS at the Dubai Airshow 2019 on Monday.

"Middle Eastern countries show interest in Russian drones. Currently, we are in talks with the Emirati side on holding the trials of this system [Orion-E]," the defense agency said.

The Orion is Russia’s first air reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a long-duration flight capability, which corresponds to the MALE (medium-altitude long-endurance) international classification category. The system is designed to conduct air reconnaissance and patrols, determine the coordinates of ground and naval targets and carry out topographic mapping of the terrain.

The Orion drone, which is being developed by Kronshtadt Group, has a maximum takeoff weight of 1 tonne and a maximum payload weight of 200 kg. The Orion is the first MALE-class drone fully developed in Russia and made of domestic components. Its flight duration is 24 hours.