How Capable Are the Pantsir Air Defence Combat Vehicles Russia Just Airlifted to Venezuela

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defence Committee Alexei Zhuravlev has confirmed airlifts of Pantsir and BuK-M2 surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen the air defence capabilities of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, at a time when Caracas faces an imminent threat of a large scale military assault by the United States. “Russian Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems were just recently delivered to Caracas by Il-76 transport aircraft,” Zhuravlev stated, while raising the possibility of further deliveries, and of deliveries of ballistic or cruise missile systems. The airlift appears to be an effort to further strengthen Venezuela’s ability to deter, and if necessary repel, attacks by the U.S. Armed Forces, at a time of high geopolitical tensions between Moscow and Washington. While the BuK-M2 system already forms the backbone of Venezuela’s medium range air defence capabilities, the Pantsir system represents a new kind of asset that could add additional layers to the air defence network.

The Pantsir system first entered service in the Russian Armed Forces in 2012. The eight-wheeled vehicles employ a combination of 57E6M surface-to-air missiles and twin 2A38M 30mm anti-aircraft autocannon, the latter which has reportedly proven highly useful against low value drones. It is prized for its high mobility and versatility, and has been intensively combat tested in Libya, Syria and Ukraine. By the beginning of the 2020s the system had already shot down over 100 drones and at least one fighter, with its ability to provide a defence against Western radar evading cruise missiles such as the Storm Shadow reported to have been enhanced significantly based on combat experience in the Ukrainian theatre.

In 2019 a new variant of the Pantsir system, the Pantsir-SM, integrated the new 57E6M surface-to-air missile as its primary armament, increasing its engagement range from 20 to 30 kilometres, and providing an ability to engage at 31 percent higher speeds. In June 2025 it was revealed that a new loadout allowed the system to quadruple its missile carriage from four to twelve by using new miniaturised missiles. The Pantsir’s very low cost and high mobility and versatility could allow large numbers to be delivered to the Venezuelan Armed Forces, which would have a transformative impact on Venezuela’s air defences, with its relative simplicity potentially allowing it to be absorbed into service quickly. While it remains uncertain how quickly Venezuelan personnel can be trained on the systems, or whether they have been already, the confirmed presence of Russian contractor personnel in the country could facilitate support to expedite this process. Russian contractors may be relied on to operate the systems in a full or limited capacity in the interim.