Polish Loitering Munitions Destroying Russian Pantsir Systems

The Ukrainian release states that the Warmate systems were used on 6th January, while the attacked Pantsirs were stationed in Belgorod, Russia, in a relatively safe area.

On both recordings, the Russian systems appear to be stationary, with the radars being switched on. We are not dealing with a surprise strike against those advanced systems while they are on the move, or when they are not active. The engagement happened in circumstances in which the Russian assets operated at their maximum capability to detect and neutralize potential threats.

Despite the above, the Warmate systems (even though the control station and screen edges have been blurred, the screen layout and icon colors point to the Polish system) have been able to approach the target and conduct a suicide strike.

The movie clips are cut a few seconds before the actual strike, which is normal for the Warmate. When Warmate conducts the strike, at a low altitude it loses the connection with the operator, either due to the signal being blocked by the terrain (or buildings), or the Earth’s curvature. This has been taken into account by the system’s designers, making the UAV autonomous in the terminal phase of the engagement.

“No GPS Fix” message appears on the screen which probably means that the system has been employed effectively, despite the lack of a GPS navigation signal. This is aligned with the declarations made by the manufacturer who openly claims that GPS and satellite navigation systems remain useless when the enemy employs electronic countermeasures. This is why the WB Group’s systems are designed in a way that makes them independent from navigation aids as such.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, as a result of the strike both systems have been disabled due to damage.

The Pantsir-S1 and S2 systems are operated by the Russian VKS, and they are tasked with defending key infrastructure, including airbases, airfields, or S-300/S-400 MRAD systems. Less than 200 Pantsir examples remain in service now. Several have been exported. The Ukrainians also stressed the fact that a single Pantsir system costs USD 15 million.

Warmate is a Polish loitering munitions system manufactured by the WB Group. The system is operated by the Polish and Ukrainian Armed Forces, and other export customers, including NATO member states, and users located in the Middle East. India procured a large number of Warmate systems in 2023.