Rostec to Unveil New Pantsir-SMD-E and Advanced Air-Defence Suite at Dubai Airshow 2025

Russia’s Rostec State Corporation is set to make one of its most extensive air-defence presentations in years at the Dubai Airshow 2025, showcasing a new generation of counter-UAV and short-range defence systems tailored for modern battlefield threats. Among the highlights will be the new Pantsir-SMD-E, a modular surface-to-air missile system designed specifically to counter mass drone incursions and precision-guided threats.

Pantsir-SMD-E: A New Modular Shield Against UAV Swarms

The Pantsir-SMD-E, developed by Rostec’s High-Precision Systems, represents a major evolution of the Pantsir family, shifting its focus to defending industrial, administrative and critical infrastructure sites from small, fast, low-flying threats—especially unmanned aerial vehicles.

Rostec confirmed that the system can be mounted on building rooftops, ground platforms, or mobile installations, giving operators wide deployment flexibility. Its upgraded launcher supports either:

• Up to 48 miniature short-range guided missiles, optimised for small UAVs and swarm attacks
  or

• 12 standard Pantsir missiles, for engaging aircraft, cruise missiles and larger UAVs.

Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of Rostec’s Weapons Cluster, said the system has already generated “significant foreign interest” after its first outing at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
“The threat of large-scale UAV attacks is now recognized worldwide,” Ozdoev noted. “The new modular Pantsir system provides a flexible rooftop-deployable solution, and the increased ammunition load of 48 missiles allows reliable protection of industrial, social and transport infrastructure.”

Key Specifications – Pantsir-SMD-E (Export Model)

• Max target type: UAVs, aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles

• Launcher capacity: 48 mini-missiles or 12 standard missiles

• Mini-missile range: Approx. 5–7 km (export, estimated)

• Standard missile range: Approx. 20+ km (export class)

• Elevation coverage: 0° to 85°

• Deployment: Rooftop, mobile vehicle, fixed ground

• Role: Defence of critical energy sites, government buildings, industrial zones, airfields

Compact Short-Range Radar Debuts in the Middle East

For the first time in the region, Rostec will unveil its compact short-range airspace surveillance radar aimed at detecting small UAVs and light aircraft—platforms often too small or slow for legacy radars.

The radar weighs only 45 kg, can be installed on mobile vehicles, and is designed for rapid deployment.

Short-Range Surveillance Radar – Specifications

• Weight: 45 kg

• Detection range: 7.5 km+ for medium-sized UAVs

• Mobility: Vehicle-transportable, compact tripod setup

• Target set: UAVs, small aircraft

• Role: Perimeter security, mobile anti-drone operations

Rostec said the system is intended for operators needing lightweight, highly mobile counter-UAV monitoring capability.

New Airspace Control System for Low-Altitude Threats

The corporation will also present a new airspace control system capable of detecting and tracking drones, cruise missiles and other low-observation targets. The system specializes in identifying low-altitude and low-speed threats—profiles typical of improvised drones, loitering munitions and slow-flying reconnaissance craft.

Airspace Control System – Key Features

• Monitoring of low-altitude, low-speed objects

• Detects both UAVs and cruise missiles

• Multi-sensor integration capability

• Real-time tracking of small and low-signature targets

Verba MANPADS and Dzhigit Launcher to be Showcased

Another centrepiece of Russia’s display will be the Verba short-range MANPADS, designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles even amid intense optical jamming.

Verba MANPADS – Specifications

• Target engagement range: Up to 6 km

• Ceiling: Up to 4.5 km

• Guidance: Tri-band infrared seeker resistant to flares and optical interference

• Targets: UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters, low-flying aircraft

To support the Verba, Rostec will also display the Dzhigit twin-launch system, which allows simultaneous or rapid-sequence firing of two missiles from a stabilized mount.

Dzhigit Launcher – Features

• Setup time: 3 minutes

• Compatible with: Verba and Igla MANPADS

• Deployment modes: Fixed site, vehicle-mounted, or man-portable (disassembled)

• Fire mode: Dual fire-and-forget missile launch

Russia’s Largest Presence Yet at Dubai Airshow

The Dubai Airshow 2025, taking place 17–21 November, will host Russia’s extensive 1,000-square-metre pavilion organized by Rosoboronexport. Major Russian defence enterprises—including United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters, United Engine Corporation, High-Precision Systems, and KRET—will present export models, new upgrades and air-defence innovations tailored for the Middle East and Asia.

Rostec officials say the 2025 lineup reflects the rapid global demand shift toward counter-UAV, short-range defence, and smart layered air-defence networks—domains increasingly shaped by the rise of drone warfare in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa.

As UAV threats evolve, the systems being introduced at Dubai underscore how Russia aims to secure a competitive foothold in the expanding global anti-drone defence market.