Russia unveils Goliath 2.0 tactical drone optimized to counter electronic warfare systems at UMEX 2026.

At UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Kalashnikov Group publicly displayed the modernized Goliath 2.0 and Karakurt 2.0 drones for the first time.

On January 20, 2026, the Russian Kalashnikov Group publicly presented the Goliath 2.0 and Karakurt 2.0 unmanned aerial systems at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The two tactical drones are configured as optoelectronic reconnaissance drones, emphasizing encrypted communications, electronic warfare resilience, and continuous transmission of surveillance data to command posts.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Goliath 2.0 possesses a maximum takeoff weight of up to 1,500 g, a maximum flight time of up to 40 minutes, a maximum line-of-sight range of 10,000 m, and maximum flight altitude of up to 500 m. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The consortium positioned the two systems as updated optoelectronic reconnaissance assets rather than strike systems, with a focus on surveillance, secure communications, and operator support functions. Their debut at UMEX 2026 forms part of a broader Russian industrial presence at the event, which is expected to include more than 200 military-related products. The timing also places the international appearance of the 2.0 variants shortly after statements indicating readiness to move toward serial production.

The Goliath 2.0 and Karakurt 2.0 are intended for aerial reconnaissance missions that include search, detection, identification, and tracking of both stationary and moving targets. Both systems employ a jam-resistant radio communications architecture combining encryption with pseudo-random frequency hopping, allowing transmission of telemetry, control commands, and video data in environments affected by electronic warfare. Each system is integrated into an inter-service information exchange network, enabling direct transmission of collected data from the aircraft to a command post. Operator assistance functions include optical positioning, target capture, retention and tracking, obstacle avoidance, and alerts for abnormal situations. These features collectively aim to maintain reconnaissance continuity while reducing operator workload during sustained operations.

The Goliath 2.0 incorporates an optoelectronic reconnaissance module built around a high-resolution daytime camera equipped with wide-angle and telephoto lenses, paired with a thermal imaging camera with high thermal sensitivity. The sensor suite is mounted on a three-axis gyro-stabilized gimbal to support stable observation during maneuvering flight. The system also includes obstacle avoidance functions and warning features related to potential threats from other unmanned aerial vehicles operating nearby. This configuration supports day-and-night reconnaissance and target recognition while operating in cluttered airspace. The payload architecture aligns with the stated emphasis on stabilized, multi-sensor observation rather than payload modularity.

Performance data for the Goliath 2.0 indicate a maximum takeoff weight of up to 1,500 g and a maximum flight endurance of up to 40 minutes. The maximum line-of-sight operating range is listed at 10,000 m, with a maximum flight altitude of up to 500 m. The thermal imaging camera operates at 640 x 480 pixel resolution with digital zoom up to 4x, while the television camera provides 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution with hybrid zoom up to 30x. The system supports GNSS navigation and includes optical positioning that allows position keeping without satellite signals at distances up to 150 m. The operating temperature range is specified from -25 to +50 C, indicating use across a wide climatic envelope.

For its part, the Karakurt 2.0 is characterized by its compact form and rapid deployment concept, with the aircraft designed to be carried in a backpack or on personal equipment. Launch is performed directly from a transport-launch container that provides protection against water, dust, and mechanical damage. The system can be launched within seconds, including while moving or from a moving vehicle, and features rapid battery replacement to enable near-continuous reconnaissance operations. Its optoelectronic payload consists of a daytime camera and a thermal imager mounted on a two-axis stabilized gimbal, balancing stabilization with compactness. Like the Goliath 2.0, the Karakurt 2.0 is connected to the same protected communications architecture and command-post data transmission pathway.

On January 19, 2026, Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov stated that both Goliath 2.0 and Karakurt 2.0 can retune the operating radio frequency during flight, a measure intended to reduce vulnerability to jamming. He also confirmed that both systems transmit telemetry, control data, and video imagery over protected radio channels and employ combined daytime and thermal cameras on gyro-stabilized mounts. The drones are capable of reconnaissance at any time of day and can automatically turn back toward base if the control signal is lost until stable communications are restored. Intended application areas include military reconnaissance, counter-terrorism prevention, search-and-rescue tasks, and operational-search missions in dense urban environments.

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.