Russian troops were seen using custom-made Iraqi Pantsir-S1E anti-aircraft missiles and gun systems in Ukraine. The press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation released a video showing cars in desert camouflage, showcasing the involvement of the Iraqi armed forces in the conflict alongside Russian anti-aircraft crews. The Iraqi government signed a contract with Russia in 2012 for the supply of 24 SAMs, with the possibility of resetting another 24 systems later. More than 20 systems were handed over to the customer in 2016, and a new batch was received in 2018.

The presence of an Iraqi contract vehicle within the Russian Armed Forces is uncertain, but it is possible that it remained with the manufacturer due to the termination of the contract and was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In 2012, a $4.2 billion arms contract between Iraq and Russia was in danger of disruption due to a corruption scandal involving Iraqi officials. The Pantsir-S1E system received by Iraq is the export version, which does not differ much from the original system in technical characteristics but may have minor differences, such as the absence of an IFF radar recognition system.

ملخص الأخبار

• The Pantsir-S1 system is a Russian ground-based self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun system, developed in 1994 and adopted by the Russian army in 2012.
• The main armament of the Pantsir-S1 system includes two twin 2A38M 30mm guns and two launchers for 12 radio-command anti-aircraft missiles, capable of intercepting aerodynamic and ballistic targets.
• The system’s unique feature is the combination of a multi-channel targeting system with missiles and artillery weapons, providing a continuous target interception zone.
• The Pantsir-S1E anti-aircraft system received by Iraq as part of the order in 2012 is the export version, similar in technical characteristics to the original system but may have minor differences, like the absence of an IFF radar recognition system.