Strategic Shift: Russia Deploys Sarma MRLS in Middle East to Challenge U.S. Artillery Dominance

INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT: Russia has strategically unveiled its Sarma 300mm multiple rocket launcher system at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, signaling a calculated reentry into the competitive Middle Eastern defense market. This deployment represents a direct challenge to U.S.-supplied systems like HIMARS, leveraging Moscow's renewed diplomatic engagement with regional powers, particularly the United Arab Emirates. The Sarma platform, mounted on a KAMAZ‑63501 8x8 chassis, provides enhanced mobility and operational flexibility, with compatibility extending to legacy Smerch and Tornado‑S rocket inventories. Its reported strike range of approximately 200 kilometers positions it as a formidable asset in long-range precision engagements. This move underscores Russia's intent to circumvent Western sanctions by expanding its military export footprint, potentially altering regional power dynamics and complicating U.S. strategic interests. Further developments in this arena warrant close monitoring as Moscow seeks to consolidate its influence through advanced artillery capabilities.