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Kalashnikov unveils boats for operations in Caspian Sea at exhibition in Baku

Three key products are on display in Baku: the BK-10E high-speed assault boat, the BK-16E high-speed transport and landing craft, and the unique civilian passenger and cargo hovercraft Khaska

MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Russia’s Kalashnikov Group has presented a high-speed assault boat, a high-speed transport and landing craft, and a unique civilian passenger and cargo vessel at the ADEX 2026 Defense Industry Exhibition in Baku, the company told TASS.

"As part of the 6th International Defense Exhibition ADEX 2026 taking place in Azerbaijan, the Kalashnikov Group’s shipbuilding division is presenting to experts and guests of the forum ready-made, effective solutions for the most complex and diverse tasks that arise in the waters of the Caspian Sea," the group said.

It noted that three key products are on display in Baku: the BK-10E high-speed assault boat, the BK-16E high-speed transport and landing craft, and the unique civilian passenger and cargo hovercraft Khaska.

The BK-16E is an 18-meter armored boat, proven by time and extensive operational experience, designed to transport and land troops on unfortified shores and provide them with fire support, Kalashnikov reported. An undeniable advantage of the boat is its combination of high combat performance, survivability, and a top speed of 45 knots. Its cruising range is 400 nautical miles.

The BK-10E assault boat, on the other hand, is a simpler and more mobile platform for transporting and landing troops. It is equipped with 7.62-mm machine guns and a grenade launcher. The assault boat has a draft of 0.6 m and can reach speeds of up to 40 knots, which could be tactically advantageous in the shallow waters of the Caspian Sea and the river deltas of Azerbaijan.

"Since the start of the special military operation, the BK-10E and BK-16E have been continuously modernized based on experience gained from their combat use. For example, the BK-16E’s bridge and troop compartment are reliably armored thanks to modern, high-strength composite materials, and its two engines are also thoroughly protected," Kalashnikov noted.

Passenger-cargo vessel

The third shipbuilding product presented is the Khaska hovercraft with flexible skegs. The main feature of the Khaska is its ability to carry up to 20 metric tons of cargo, including passengers, troops, and vehicles. When fully loaded, the vessel can travel at a speed of 40 knots, is capable of navigating extremely shallow waters, and beach landing. The vessel is 23.7 meters long and can clear obstacles up to 1.2 meters high.

"The Khaska can serve as a higher-capacity and more economical alternative to helicopters for supplying oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, rotating personnel at remote outposts, or conducting rescue operations. The Khaska can also be used for amphibious operations," the company added.