The Arab countries in the Persian Gulf are intercepting not only Iranian ballistic missiles, but also long-range drones. At the same time, the official statistics on the effectiveness of the United Arab Emirates' air defense are somewhat unusual: 99% of ballistic targets intercepted and 93.7% of drones intercepted.
While THAAD and Patriot are responsible for intercepting ballistic missiles, russian Pantsir air defense systems are supposed to be used against drones. Fifty of these systems were bought in 2000, with an estimated 42 still in service.
Read more: russians Lost Rare 98L6 Yenisei Radar From S-500 System, Brought to Crimea to Cover Gaps Left by Ukrainian Drone Strikes
However, the UAE is not the only Persian Gulf country to have purchased this system from russia, recognizing its role in countering Iranian drones. Another operator is Saudi Arabia, which officially acknowledged the purchase of the Pantsir from russia. The approval of this agreement was published only in October 2024 in the government journal of the country's Ministry of Defense.
Until recently, Riyadh had avoided publicizing the contract, which, according to available information, was signed in 2021 for $2.3 billion for 39 Pantsir-S1M systems. Saudi Arabia began receiving these air defense systems in 2023. However, neither russian nor Saudi government has announced the number of air defense systems or their price. It is also unknown how many systems have already been delivered.
It should also be noted that, unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia does not publish general reports, releasing information only on individual threat interceptions. As a result, the effectiveness of its air defense system cannot be evaluated, even using official reports. However, videos show Saudi Arabia's oil facilities being hit by drones.
Another country using russian Pantsirs is Iraq, which operates 24 of these systems. They were purchased before 2014 and were fully delivered no later than 2016. The cost of the deal was not disclosed, but their failure occurred in June 2025 during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. At that time, drones of undisclosed ownership attacked American bases around Baghdad.
However, there is a certain irony in the fact that these Arab countries purchased russian Pantsir systems, which could be used to intercept russian Geran-2 drones. At least one copy of the Iranian Shahed-136, manufactured in Izhevsk at the Kupol plant, was used to strike the UAE. Moreover, it is likely that russia modified Iranian ballistic missiles to bypass the Patriot air defense systems.
Another pressing issue is the supply of ammunition for Pantsir air defense systems, which are currently being used actively in the Persian Gulf. The reason is that russia is using them with equal intensity. In addition, the need for organizing operational repairs and maintenance may arise.
Read more: Did Iran Destroy Two AN/TPY-2 Radars for THAAD System? If So, It's a Total Fiasco
