Russia repurposes military exports: Iraqi defenses spotted in Ukraine

Russians, attempting to address their equipment shortages, have once again sourced units initially produced for foreign customers. These have included T-90S tanks intended for India and now Pancyr-S1 systems earmarked for Iraq. The circumstances behind this contract and the capabilities of these systems are explained below.

A video showcasing a Russian operator praising his Pancyr-S1 anti-aircraft system recently emerged on a Russian Telegram account. The system's desert camouflage mirroring that the Iraqi armed forces used was particularly noticeable.

This marks at least the third instance of Russia diverting equipment from depots reserved for international clients, following the diversion of artillery shells destined for Azerbaijan and T-90S tanks meant for India.

Such practices have significantly eroded Russia's reputation as an arms exporter, with its standing further damaged by the repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine. This decline is expected to persist in the years ahead.

In 2012, Iraq placed an order for 48 Pancyr-S1 systems and 36 Mi-28NE helicopters for £3.3 billion, yet reports only confirm the delivery of 24 units of the former, and the latter remains pending. Notably, these very units have been identified in Ukraine.

The Pancyr-S1 anti-aircraft system, a cornerstone of Russian military defense, was developed in the 90s as a cost-effective alternative to the 2K22 Tunguska systems during significant financial turmoil. Mounting the fire module on a standard KamAZ truck was the best solution.

Progress on the project was initially slow but received a vital lifeline from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s interest. This engagement and financial investment saw the project to fruition; interestingly, the UAE, not Russia, was the first recipient of the Pancyr-S1 systems mounted on German trucks in the early 2000s. Russia only deployed its variant in 2012.

At the core of the Pancyr-S1 system is an armament module containing two automatic 30mm 2A38M cannons, each capable of firing up to 2,500 rounds per minute. This firepower allows it to engage targets up to 4 kilometers away with a variety of ammunition.

The system also boasts an anti-aircraft missile launcher equipped with 12 57E6 or 57E6-E missiles, split into two sections of six. This setup enables the simultaneous targeting of multiple objectives within reach of up to 20 kilometers, with radio-command guidance linking the missiles to the launcher until impact.

Additionally, the system incorporates a radar or an optoelectronic head with a thermal imaging camera, facilitating the detection of targets up to 30 kilometers away. However, the Pancyr-S1's effectiveness is variable, struggling against certain targets, such as Polish Warmate drones or the Anglo-French cruise missile Storm Shadow.