Dubai, UAE: At the Dubai Airshow 2025, Russia’s Rostec State Corporation is showcasing several air defence systems including the new Pantsir-SMD-E surface-to-air missile system. The company also introduced a compact short-range radar in the Middle East for the first time.
Developed by High-Precision Systems in response to UAV threats, the Pantsir-SMD-E is intended to protect industrial and administrative facilities. It can engage aerodynamic targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles, and its launcher can hold up to 48 miniature short-range guided missiles or 12 standard missiles.
Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the Weapons Cluster of Rostec State Corporation, member of the Bureau of the Union of Machine Engineers of Russia, stated, “This year, the Pantsir-SMD-E system has already attracted a lot of attention among our foreign partners at the IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The threat of large-scale UAV attacks is now recognised worldwide, and the new modular Pantsir system provides a flexible solution as it can be deployed on building rooftops or at specially prepared sites.”
“The ammunition load can be increased to 48 miniature missiles, which makes it possible to effectively repel large-scale UAV attacks and provides reliable protection for various facilities, including industrial, social and transport infrastructure as well as other structures. We expect that this system will attract considerable interest at Dubai Airshow 2025,” he added.
A short-range airspace surveillance radar designed to monitor UAVs and small aircraft is also being showcased by Rostec. It weighs 45 kg, can be transported by mobile vehicles and can detect medium-sized UAVs at distances of 7.5 km or more.
An airspace control system capable of detecting and tracking flying targets, including UAVs and cruise missiles, will also be presented. Rostec stated that the system can detect low-altitude and low-speed objects.
Also on display is the Verba short-range man-portable air-defence system and is intended to engage aeroplanes, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles. Rostec noted that the system is designed to retain effectiveness in the presence of strong optical jamming.
The Dzhigit launching unit for use with Verba or Igla missiles and can be deployed in three minutes is also being shown at the airshow. It can be used as a fixed installation, mounted on a vehicle or disassembled and carried manually, and is designed to launch two missiles in a fire-and-forget mode.
At the Dubai Airshow 2025 (November 17-21), Rosoboronexport is organising Russia’s more than 1,000-square-metre display area, featuring systems from the United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters, United Engine Corporation, High-Precision Systems, KRET and other Rostec companies.
