Russian Pantsir-S1 – best air defence money can buy
Published time: November 30, 2007 03:42
Edited time: March 20, 2010 09:18
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Russia’s latest short range air defence system, the Pantsir-S1, is the new pride of the Russian military industry. The combined SAM/gun system can kill any air target, except ballistic missiles.
“Pantsir is three or four times more effective than any other short range air defence system in the world. With a firing range of 20 km it can take down targets on the move with an accuracy of just 1.5 metres. No one else can do this,” Chief Constructor Vladimir Obrazumov says.
Pantsir-S1 (NATO report name SA-22 Greyhound) can track up to 20 targets simultaneously. The designers say even stealth aircraft can’t hide from its radars. And it’s specially designed to intercept high-precision weapons.
The system’s 12 surface-to-air missiles can also hit targets on the ground. The SAMs are paired with two twined guns. They can provide up to 5,000 rounds per minute.
The system can be vehicle-mounted or stationary
The system can be vehicle-mounted or stationary
The Pantsir system is pretty much like LEGO. It consists of various modules which could be installed according to the necessities. It can be mounted on wheeled or tracked vehicle or used as a stationary weapon.
The system works best alongside its long range counterpart,
the recently launched S-400 system, or the older S-300 model.
The project stared back in the early 90's. But the country’s economic crisis affected the schedule.
Last month the final tests were successfully completed. And Pantsir has entered production.
The first Pantsir-S1 units are expected to enter service in the Russia by the end of 2008.
No Pantsir-S1s in Syria
In September, the system made the headlines when Israel conducted an air strike on Syria. According to Israelis, some military targets deep in Syrian territory were hit despite being protected by Pantsirs. The media was calling the system ineffective.
The head of the construction bureau, Aleksandr Ribas, says at the moment there were no Pantsir system in Syria at the moment:
“I assure you that if it was there, none of the planes would have reached the target. More than that, they simply would not even dare go there,” he says.
The first countries to get Pantsir units are the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Syria.
http://rt.com/news/prime-time/russian-pantsir-s1-best-air-defence-money-can-buy/