MOSCOW, August 21, 2026 (Agencies) — Russia has significantly expanded the ammunition capacity of its Pantsir air-defence system with the new Pantsir-SMD, which can carry up to 48 miniature surface-to-air missiles, four times the 12-missile load of the standard configuration, in a modification designed particularly to counter mass drone attacks.
Developed by Rostec’s High-Precision Systems holding, the Pantsir-SMD is intended to protect fixed facilities against a range of aerial threats, with particular emphasis on the growing challenge posed by large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle attacks. Rostec says the system has been delivered to Russia’s Defence Ministry after completing required tests and military acceptance procedures.
The system’s key innovation is its miniature interceptor missiles. Rostec says up to four short-range missiles can be fitted into the space normally occupied by one conventional Pantsir missile, allowing the launcher to carry as many as 48 interceptors. The missile load can also be configured using a combination of miniature and standard missiles according to the mission.
The miniature missiles are designed for relatively close-range aerial targets, including small drones, providing a potentially more economical means of dealing with low-cost threats than using larger air-defence interceptors. Rostec has described the system specifically as a response to mass drone attacks and the need for greater ammunition depth.
The Pantsir-SMD also features an upgraded fire-control architecture combining a multifunction radar with electro-optical systems. Rostec says the system can automatically assess the effectiveness of its engagements.
The export-oriented Pantsir-SMD-E can carry up to 48 TKB-1055 short-range missiles, up to 12 larger 57E6 missiles, or a combination of the two. Russia showcased the system at the Dubai Airshow 2025 as a modular solution for countering UAVs and other aerodynamic targets.
The fourfold increase in missile capacity reflects a broader shift in air-defence requirements as militaries confront drone swarms and other forms of low-cost aerial attack. Rather than expending a limited number of larger interceptors against every small UAV, the new configuration gives operators a substantially deeper magazine of smaller missiles.
Russian officials have also highlighted the possibility of integrating Pantsir systems into broader layered air-defence networks. The Pantsir family is intended to operate alongside other Russian air-defence systems, allowing different platforms to address threats at different ranges.
The development underscores the changing character of modern air warfare, where the ability to sustain engagements against large numbers of relatively inexpensive drones can be as important as the capability to defeat sophisticated aircraft and missiles.