Libya enhances air defense with newly delivered Russian Tor-M2 missile system.

On May 26, 2025, the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, held a military parade in Benghazi to commemorate the 11th anniversary of Operation Al-Karama. The event took place at a newly established military compound and included the public appearance of several assets that had not previously been seen in the country, including the Russian-made Tor-M2 short-range air defense missile system. The deployment of this system represents the first confirmed appearance of the Tor-M2 in Libya and drew immediate attention due to the open defiance of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970, which has prohibited all arms exports to Libya since 2011.
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The Tor-M2’s ability to detect and neutralize small, fast-moving aerial threats provides a defense against surveillance and strike drones, which have become a dominant factor in recent conflicts in Libya and beyond. (Picture source: X/Libya Military)

While the Tor-M2 dominated the attention of observers, the LNA also exhibited various other assets during the parade. These included over 120 Russian-made VPK Spartak mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, a range of new Kamaz and Ural military trucks, and a selection of UAVs of Chinese origin, such as the Olitation VT370, QP537 VTOL, and SATUAV V15. Additionally, agricultural drones adapted for surveillance were seen. Artillery systems such as the BM-30 Smerch or Tornado-S were also displayed, along with legacy ballistic systems like the Scud-B and Luna-M. Legacy equipment from the Gaddafi era was also prominently featured. This included T-55 and T-72 tanks that had been retrofitted with anti-drone cage armor. BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles were shown with additional protection added to their skirts, while ZSU-23-4 Shilka SPAAGs appeared with minor armor enhancements. The Emirati variant of the Pantsir-S1 system, mounted on a MAN chassis, was also present, but contrary to past parades, most Emirati-sourced equipment was conspicuously absent, hinting at a shifting alignment or diversification of military suppliers.

The addition of the Tor-M2 to the LNA arsenal significantly enhances its short-range air defense capabilities and provides a modern solution against contemporary aerial threats, particularly tactical unmanned aerial systems and precision-guided munitions. The Tor-M2 is designed to engage low radar cross-section targets in high clutter environments and is considered effective against swarm attacks and fast maneuvering aircraft. Its presence implies that the LNA now possesses a system capable of defending both static assets and mobile formations from low- and medium-altitude attacks. This may change the operational calculus in eastern Libya, where air superiority and drone operations have played a major role in past engagements. The mobility and self-sufficiency of the system further allow it to be deployed independently in remote or contested areas, improving the LNA’s capacity to protect key military infrastructure and command elements.

The origin of the Tor-M2 system in LNA possession remains officially undisclosed, but the display of this equipment suggests a deliberate transfer, either through direct foreign military support or indirect procurement via intermediaries. The presence of other Russian-made systems, including a Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter and a BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, reinforces suspicions of state-level facilitation, directly or through proxies. Although Emirati-supplied Pantsir-S1 systems were seen in previous years, their reduced visibility during the 2025 parade, coupled with the prominence of Russian platforms, suggests a potential realignment of support or procurement priorities. Given the Tor-M2’s limited availability and high cost, its presence in Benghazi suggests that Moscow is seeking to secure a new foothold in the Mediterranean, particularly after reducing its presence in Syria. The appearance of the Tor-M2 may reflect such considerations, indicating a deeper relationship between Russian defense actors and the LNA. state-level facilitation, directly or through proxies.

The Tor system, originally developed by the Soviet Union under the designation 9K330, entered service in the mid-1980s as a replacement for the earlier 9K33 Osa system. It was designed to protect front-line forces from a wide array of airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Since then, several variants have emerged, including the Tor-M1 and the more advanced Tor-M2 family, which includes wheeled (Tor-M2K), export (Tor-M2E), modular (Tor-M2KM), and Arctic (Tor-M2DT) variants. Production of the Tor-M2 began in the 2010s, with the system entering Russian service in 2016 and serial production being confirmed by 2020. It was developed by the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol and integrates the work of multiple Russian defense firms, including the Almaz-Antey Concern and missile developers from MKB Fakel and Vympel.

The Tor-M2 system is a fully autonomous and mobile short-range air defense missile system designed to detect, track, and engage various types of aerial targets in all weather conditions and under intense electronic countermeasure environments. It features a combat vehicle with a 360-degree rotating radar capable of tracking up to 48 targets and simultaneously engaging four. The vertical launch system accommodates sixteen 9M338K missiles, which are capable of intercepting targets flying at altitudes from 10 to 10,000 meters and ranges of 1 to 16 kilometers. Each missile is guided by a jam-resistant radio command system and has a maximum speed of 1,000 meters per second. The reaction time from detection to engagement is under five seconds, and the system is capable of operating while on the move. The Tor-M2 can also exchange radar data with other vehicles to extend its detection coverage and increase engagement effectiveness.