In a move to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities, Russia has delivered a new batch of Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile and gun systems to its armed forces. Russian state-owned technology corporation Rostec on Friday said that the shipment was carried out using high-precision systems. The deployment of Pantsir-S systems in the frontline and rear areas aims to bolster Moscow’s military capabilities to counter Ukraine’s drone attacks.
What is Pantsir-S air defence system?
The Pantsir-S system is designed to intercept drones, cruise missiles, and guided munitions. Furthermore, it is considered a major component of Russia’s layered air defense network, highly effective in real combat conditions. These systems have previously engaged in multiple successful aerial targets, such as ATACMS ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, high-speed HARM anti-radiation missiles, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, etc, Rostec added.
Ukrainian drones and cruise missiles have caused substantial damage to Russia over the past several months. Pantsir is now poised to efficiently counter them to a considerable extent. In a March 20 press release, the company said that the air defense systems were part of the state defense order, but did not mention the exact number that had been delivered.
When was the air defense system integrated into Russian military?
The Pantsir-S is a development of the original Pantsir, built to support strategic air defences in Moscow. With its cannons and short-range missiles, this system is expected to protect key Russian sites against massed aerospace attacks.
Features of the Pantsir-S system
Several months ago, Russia announced that it was integrating new Pantsir munitions, including short-range missiles, into operational use to enhance its military’s ammunition capacity against drone attacks. Official Rosoboronexport data describe it as a wheeled, multi-channel short-range system equipped with 12 ready-to-fire SAMs and two 30 mm 2A38M automatic guns.
The system is capable of engaging targets with missiles ranging from 1.2 to 20 km and operating at altitudes from 15 m to 15,000 m. Moreover, the cannon can cover a range of 200 m to 4 km at an altitude of 3,000 m. The vehicle reportedly carries 1,400 rounds and is built to combine missile and cannon fire in one system. Notably, the Pantsir-S is not a wide-area air defense system in the same category as Russia’s S-300 or S-400.
Discussions underway regarding Pantsir’s manufacturing in India
The Pantsir is frequently referred to as the “bodyguard” of the S-400 air defense system. According to reports, New Delhi is currently working with Moscow on the acquisition and joint production of the Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense system. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) had earlier even signed an MoU with Rosoboronexport.
