Saudi Arabia Acquires Russian-Made “Pantsir” Short-Range Air Defense System

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Oil-rich Saudi Arabia has reportedly emerged as the third country in the Middle East to acquire the “Pantsir” short-range air defense system developed by Russia, providing further evidence of an increasing defense collaboration between Washington’s “allies” and Moscow.

Prior to Riyadh, the Pantsir short-range air defense system had also been chosen by neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.

According to Italian media, Saudi Arabia opted for the Pantsir short-range air defense system despite Russia facing economic sanctions from Washington and its allies due to the conflict in Ukraine.

 However, the report does not disclose the specific type and variant of the Pantsir air defense system purchased by Saudi Arabia.

The economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its “allies” indicate that they have not dampened the interest of foreign countries in Russian air defense systems.

 

International defense observers note that the enhanced capabilities and upgrades to the “Pantsir” air defense system particularly in its software, have made it more effective in countering threats posed by guided missiles and rockets, as demonstrated in Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia and Russia have a longstanding relationship, strengthened further through their cooperation in various fields, particularly in the energy sector, given that both countries are among the world’s largest oil producers.

Both nations play a crucial role in ensuring the stability of global oil prices and coordinate their actions through cooperation between OPEC member countries and non-OPEC countries, collectively referred to as OPEC+.

Oftentimes, decisions made by OPEC+ may not align with the interests of the United States, which is also a major global oil producer.

 Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s purchase of the Pantsir short-range air defense system reflects the country’s aggressive step to diversify its defense systems, reducing dependence on a single source such as the United States.

In recent years, Riyadh has increasingly acquired arms from sources other than the United States, including China.

The Pantsir air defense system is said to have been upgraded with new software and the capability to provide a 360-degree view, enabling it to detect and counter various threats, ranging from guided missiles, aircraft, helicopters, to small drones used by the enemy for surveillance and target marking.

The Pantsir short-range air defense system, known as SA-22 Greyhound by NATO, is equipped with radar and electro-optical systems that allow it to detect, track, and engage targets up to 36km away and at an altitude of 15km.

 It can simultaneously track up to 20 targets, whether aircraft or guided missiles, and engage six targets simultaneously. The Pantsir system launcher vehicle carries 12 guided missiles and a cannon with the ability to engage targets up to 4km away. –DSA

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