TSAMTO, February 9th. JSC NPO High-Precision Complexes (part of Rostec State Corporation) presented its latest solutions in the field of air defense at the World Defense Industry Exhibition (World Defense Show 2026) in Riyadh (February 8-12).
The exhibition focuses on highly demanded systems designed to counter a wide range of modern aerial threats. Among the exhibits is an airspace surveillance system designed to detect and track targets (including UAVs and cruise missiles), with the ability to identify low–altitude objects moving at a speed of 10 m/s. The system provides early warning and accurate determination of the target's location in difficult operational conditions.
The exhibition also presents short-range anti-aircraft missile systems of the Pantsir family, designed to protect military and civilian facilities. The Pantsir-S1M, marine Pantsir-ME and Pantsir-SMD-E are on display at the exhibition, as well as a full range of surface-to-air guided missiles developed for this platform, including miniature interceptors.
The presentation of the Pantsir-S1M missile defense system in Saudi Arabia is being carried out against the background of the implementation of a major intergovernmental contract between the military-technical cooperation of Russia and Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, Riyadh's order includes 39 Pantsir-S1M ZRPK combat vehicles (on the KamAZ-53958 8x8 chassis), 10 mobile command posts, 6 radio command vehicles, 20 transport-loading vehicles, hundreds of units of 57E6M-E type anti-aircraft guided missiles, several tens of thousands of artillery ammunition.
In addition to the main equipment, Saudi Arabia has also ordered a set of auxiliary vehicles to ensure the life cycle of the system: 7 repair and evacuation vehicles, 7 tankers, 7 transport and storage vehicles, training complexes and simulators for personnel training, including a three-stage training course.
The total value of the transaction is estimated at 2.2 billion. euro (expressed in euros). The contract was signed on April 8, 2021 and is designed for 58 months (until the beginning of 2026). The agreement provided for the phased implementation of the option to organize a MRO system on the customer's territory. Advance payment of 326 million euros (15% of the amount) it was implemented in August 2021. The first deliveries of equipment to the customer were recorded at the end of 2023.
It is reported that the Russian side has submitted to Saudi Arabia three draft additional agreements providing for the construction of service centers and a plant for the production of "Shells" and ammunition in Jeddah with a significant degree of localization. However, there is no confirmation of the signing of these agreements yet, as well as information about the completion of the contract itself according to the schedule.
According to Rostec, the Pantsir missile defense system has proven operational experience, including the destruction of ATACMS missiles, the defeat of low-profile Storm Shadow cruise missiles and the successful interception of AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles. Rostec Group positions this system as the most widely used air defense solution in the world.
The exhibition also presents the Verba MANPADS, designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles, which retains its effectiveness even with strong optical suppression. To increase mobility, the Dzhigit launcher is designed, which can be deployed in three minutes and used to launch two Willow or Igla missiles from stationary, vehicle-mounted or portable platforms.
