The MAKS 2023 International Aerospace Show will no longer take place between July 25th and 30th, informed Aviasalon, organizer of the show on June 30th.
The air show is the most important one held in Russia and a stage for local manufacturers, especially state-owned ones, to present their most advanced aircraft.
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The exact reason was not informed, but Aviasalon suggested to the Interfax agency that the cancellation involved the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine and risks caused by the conflict.
“This is the decision that has been made. First of all, it is a matter of security,” said MAKS Honorary President Magomed Tolboyev.
The possible cancellation was reported in May by the TASS agency citing sources, but confirmation only occurred on Friday, June 30, just over three weeks before the start date of the air show.
Aviasalon, however, has confirmed that this year’s edition will be held in 2024, as well as MAKS 2025.
Largest air show in Eurasia
MAKS was created in 1993, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union and has been held every two years. It is considered the biggest aerospace event in Eurasia, according to its organizers.
In the last edition, in 2021, Sukhoi presented the Su-75 Checkmate fighter for the first time, 5th generation and designed as an export aircraft.
At the time, the Russian aerospace industry, led by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), was already suffering from some Western sanctions due to the invasion of Crimea, but several companies from abroad participated in the event.
In previous years, aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and even the A380 performed in-flight performances at the show, at a time when Russia seemed more integrated into the global community.
The 2023 edition, canceled, would serve so that the country could present advances in programs focused on nationalizing aircraft such as the SSJ100 (SSJ-New) and the MC-21-310, both commercial jets that are being developed to replace Boeing and Airbus aircraft. .
