Jihadist militants seize cutting-edge Russian weapon in Aleppo

Previously supported by Turkey, the jihadists from HTS captured Aleppo, where they acquired a modern Pantsir-S1 air defense system delivered to Syria by Russia. Putin has touted this system in recent years as a standout in Russian exports. Syria purchased around 60 of these systems under a 2016 agreement, making them some of the newest air defense systems in the Syrian armed forces.

The history of the Pantsir-S1 system dates back to Russia's challenging 1990s when economic constraints necessitated alternatives to the advanced 2K22 Tunguska artillery-missile systems. In France, where efforts were made to reduce operating costs, the new weapon system was decided to be mounted on the chassis of a traditional truck.

Financial difficulties almost led to the project's termination, but relief came from the United Arab Emirates, which expressed interest in the system's concept. The funds invested by the UAE allowed for its completion, with the first systems delivered not to Russia but to foreign clients. The UAE began using their systems in the early 2000s, while Russia only adopted the Pantsir-S1 in 2012.

The Pantsir-S1 system is equipped with two radars that serve different functions—one for target detection and another for weapon guidance. It comprises a pair of 30 mm automatic cannons, capable of firing up to 2,500 rounds per minute, and anti-aircraft missile launchers.

The cannon section allows various types of ammunition and can attack targets up to 2.5 miles away. The missile section contains 12 launchers, grouped in six sets, capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets. The missiles are guided by radio commands and, according to the Russians, can hit targets up to 12 miles away and at altitudes reaching 9 miles.