A new modification of the Pantsir-SM-SV anti-aircraft missile and gun system (ZRPK) has confirmed its declared characteristics and compliance with the requirements of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This was reported by TASS with reference to the press service of Rostec.
The Pantsir-SM-SV complex, developed by our High-Precision Complexes holding, confirmed the fulfillment of the specified characteristics during testing and combat work.
Pantsir-SM-SV is mounted on a tracked chassis and is designed to cover ground forces and airborne units. There is little open information about the characteristics of this complex.
According to information from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the air defense missile system has two types of anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) and has an “increased kill zone.”
As the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev explained in a commentary to RT, Pantsir-SM-SV was created specifically to provide air defense for ground forces.
According to the expert, such a modification will have high cross-country ability and will become extremely in demand in the North-West region.
There have been discussions about the need to create a special version of Pantsir for ground forces for a long time. And now the work is at the final stage.
In its functionality, it is similar to the Tunguska family of air defense missile systems, but surpasses these vehicles in combat qualities.
According to the expert, with the spread of the Pantsir-SM-SV complexes, the military air defense capabilities of the Russian army will increase noticeably.
The characteristics of the Pantsir-SM-SV have not been disclosed, but it can be assumed that they will be approximately the same as those of the modern wheeled modification of the ZRPK.
Most likely, the version for ground forces will be capable of firing on the march and hitting almost any targets at close range.
In a conversation with RT, military expert Yuri Lyamin noted that the basic model and modernized versions of the “Pantsir” are mounted on the basis of KamAZ.
The wheeled platform provides great advantages in mobility in the presence of an extensive road network, but significantly reduces mobility in muddy roads and on rough terrain.
The regular version, due to its wheeled chassis, will not always fit or be placed where needed.
In this regard, a tracked air defense vehicle will provide much greater mobility at any time of the year, in any weather and along the entire length of the front line.
First of all, “Pantsir-SM-SV” will cover command posts, concentrations of our troops, and ammunition depots.
As the expert suggests, the modification of the air defense missile system for the needs of the ground forces will receive missiles for intercepting large targets at distances of more than 10-15 km and small-sized ammunition for striking targets at shorter ranges.
In my opinion, the Pantsir-SM-SV will be well adapted to the specifics of the Northern Defense, where short-range air defense systems often hunt for HIMARS MLRS guided missiles and Ukrainian reconnaissance and attack UAVs.
Let us remind you that Pantsir was developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP), which is part of the High-Precision Complexes holding (part of Rostec).
The Pantsir-S1 version, widely used among the troops, was adopted in 2008 and was exported to several countries around the world.
A special feature of the Pantsir-S1 complex is the presence of combined weapons on one platform.
Its arsenal includes a radar with a phased array antenna, launchers for 12 missiles and two double-barreled automatic 30-mm 2A38 cannons with 1.4 thousand rounds of ammunition.
This modification is capable of hitting air, ground and sea targets with missile weapons located at various distances at an altitude of up to 15 km.
The effective firing range of cannon weapons is 4 km. At the same time, the rate of fire of a 30-mm gun is 5 thousand rounds per minute.
According to Rosoboronexport, Pantsir-S1 is capable of simultaneously firing at four targets flying at speeds of up to 1000 m/s.
ZRPK “Pantsir-S1” is designed for air defense of small military, including mobile, and administrative-industrial facilities and areas from airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles and precision weapons.
This is especially true for strengthening air defense groups when repelling massive attacks by air attack weapons.
A modern modification of the air defense missile system is the Pantsir-S1M.
This complex is distinguished by an effective control system, including a target detection station, multifunctional radar and optical-electronic equipment.
The air defense system is capable of detecting targets at a speed of 2000 m/s and tracking 40 air objects.
According to the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), the Pantsir-S1M can use two types of missiles.
The first type of the 57E6M missile is equipped with a kinetic action warhead “Veil” weighing 25 kg.
The ammunition can reach speeds of up to 1700 m/s.
The second type of 57E6 missile defense system is equipped with a fragmentation rod warhead weighing 20 kg.
The missile is designed to destroy air targets and is capable of accelerating to 1300 m/s.
The maximum range for intercepting targets with missile weapons is 30 km, the minimum is 1.2 km.
It should be noted that the Pantsir-S1M was presented at the recent international military-technical forum Army-2024.
Together with it, Rostec demonstrated a promising model - Pantsir-SDM-E, devoid of cannon armament, but capable of firing up to 48 missiles without reloading.
According to the developer, the complex is adapted to repel “massive drone attacks.”
The ammunition load in the launcher guides can reach 48 short-range anti-aircraft guided missiles or 12 standard anti-aircraft guided missiles.
At the same time, the number of missiles in the launcher may vary depending on the combination between standard and mini-missiles.
As Bekhan Ozdoev, the industrial director of the Rostec arms cluster, told reporters, the Pantsir-SDM-E received “effective and inexpensive ammunition” that can reliably protect covered objects.
According to the information presented at the forum, the new modification of the Tula complex is capable of using small-sized TKB-1055 missiles with a range from 500 to 7000 m and a destruction altitude from 15 m to 5 thousand m.
Along with this, “Pantsir-SDM-E” is adapted for the use of standard 57E6 missiles.
This ammunition is capable of intercepting air targets at a range of 1,200–20,000 m and an altitude of 15–15,000 m.
The complex also received a radar capable of detecting targets at a distance of 45 km and simultaneously tracking 40 air objects.
As stated on the Rostec website, Pantsir-SMD-E is capable of recording and hitting targets at medium and short range and assessing the effectiveness of firing in automatic mode.
According to Yuri Lyamin, Pantsir-SMD-E should significantly enhance the potential of anti-drone air defense due to the use of a large number of inexpensive mini-missiles and the possibility of use to protect a wide range of objects, including the roofs of buildings.
Pantsir-SMD-E at Army-2024 was presented in the form of a module that can be used permanently and installed on a chassis.
In a stationary version, the air defense system is suitable for the defense of industrial and infrastructure facilities in the rear, subject to attacks by enemy UAVs.
According to Dmitry Kornev, the Pantsir demonstrated high efficiency in real combat conditions.
At the same time, the SVO opened up new opportunities for its modernization.
Among the areas of improvement are increasing the ammunition load, increasing autonomy and automation of combat control.
In a special operation zone, Pantsirs often operate autonomously, and sometimes there is not enough ammunition to intercept all detected targets.
Therefore, we see the efforts of designers to increase the combat stability of the complex.
For example, mini-missiles against UAVs and a tracked modification of the complex have appeared, which can fully move with the troops.
From the expert’s point of view, Russian industry will continue to improve the Pantsir missiles and on-board equipment, as well as create new modifications to combat various air attack weapons.
I am confident that Pantsir will become even more widely used among the troops and in the rear.
Today, this is perhaps the most reliable short-range air defense system, which is capable of covering long-range air defense systems, ground forces and a large number of infrastructure facilities.
