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The Pantsir (russian: Панцирь, translation="Carapace") missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range
surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft syst ...
and
anti-aircraft artillery Anti-aircraft warfare, counter-air or air defence forces is the battlespace response to aerial warfare, defined by NATO as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It includes surface based, ...
systems. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 (russian: Панцирь-С1,
NATO reporting name NATO reporting names are code names for military equipment from Russia, China, and historically, the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and other nations of the Warsaw Pact). They provide unambiguous and easily understood English words in a uniform manne ...
SA-22 Greyhound) as the first version, it is produced by
KBP Instrument Design Bureau JSC ''Konstruktorskoe Buro Priborostroeniya'' (KBP) (russian: АО «Конструкторское бюро приборостроения», AO konstruktórskoje bjuró priborostrojénija Joint-Stock Company - Instrument Design Bureau) is one ...
of Tula, Russia, and is the successor to the
Tunguska M1 The 2K22 Tunguska (russian: 2К22 "Тунгуска") is a Soviet and now Russian tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon armed with a surface-to-air gun and missile system. It is designed to provide day and night protection for infantry an ...
. The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide
point air defence Point defence (or point defense; see spelling differences) is the defence of a single object or a limited area, e.g. a ship, building or an airfield, now usually against air attacks and guided missiles. Point defence weapons have a smaller range i ...
of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and
UAV An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
s; and to provide additional protection to air defence units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.


Design

The first finished version was completed in 1995 with the 1L36 radar, later another was designed. It is a short to medium range ground-based air defence system, wheeled, tracked or stationary with two to three operators. Its air defense consists of automatic anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles with radar or optical target-tracking and radio-command guidance. Its purpose is the protection of civil and military point and area targets, for motorised or mechanised troops up to
regimental A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
size or as defensive asset of higher ranking air defence systems like S-300/
S-400 The S-400 Triumf (russian: link=no, C-400 Триумф – Triumf; translation: Triumph; NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed in the 1990s by Russ ...
. The system has capability for anti-munitions missions. It can hit targets on the waterline/above-water. It can operate in a fully automatic mode. It has the ability to work in a completely passive mode. The probability of hitting a target for one missile is not less than 0.7 with a reaction time of 4–6 seconds. It can fire missiles and gun armament while in motion. For its main radar station, early detection in height may be between 0–60° or 26–82° depending on the mode. The system is claimed to have significant advantages over other systems, such as Crotale NG (France), Roland-3 (France + Germany),
Rapier A rapier () or is a type of sword with a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade that was popular in Western Europe, both for civilian use (dueling and self-defense) and as a military side arm, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Impor ...
2000 (UK),
SeaRAM The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican, UAE, and U.S. Navies. It was origin ...
(Germany + USA). This is not confirmed by comparative testing, but clearly follows from the declared limit of possibilities of systems (2010). In 2013, there was a variant with two radar stations for early detection, standing back to back. The system has a modular structure which enables a fast and easy replacement of any part. After receiving target coordinates (from any source) it may engage the target (using all the radar except the early detection radar) within a range from −5 to +85 (82) degrees (vertical). The interval between missile launches is 1–1.5 seconds (a world record for analogue systems). The S-400 Triumf and Pantsir missile system can be integrated into a two-layer defense system.


Development

Originally
Soviet The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
strategic missile systems had been placed in fixed, hardened sites. Newer systems such as the S-300PS/PM (SA-10/20) were much more mobile which reduced vulnerabilities to attack. However, once the S-300 unit was found by enemy forces it was still very vulnerable to attack. One of the roles for the Pantsir-S is to provide air defence to the
S-300 missile system The S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) is a series of long range surface-to-air missile systems developed and operated by the former Soviet Union, now fielded by the militaries of Russia and Ukraine as well as several other former Easte ...
s. It was decided that a wheeled chassis would be better suited for the Pantsir-S rather than a tracked chassis, on grounds that wheeled vehicles are faster, less prone to breakdowns, easier to maintain, and cheaper to produce. Development as the Pantsir-S started in 1990 as a planned successor to the
Tunguska M1 The 2K22 Tunguska (russian: 2К22 "Тунгуска") is a Soviet and now Russian tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon armed with a surface-to-air gun and missile system. It is designed to provide day and night protection for infantry an ...
. A prototype was completed in 1994 and displayed at the
MAKS MAKS or Maks may refer to: People *Maksim (Maks), a Slavic given name * Kees Maks (1876-1967) Dutch painter Places * Maks, a settlement in northern Poland Other uses *MAKS Air Show, an international airshow held near Moscow, Russia *MAKS (space ...
-1995. The program soon ran into difficulties which resulted in a halt in funding. However, KBP continued development of the program using its own funds. This resulted in a complete re-design of both the turret and radar systems and the removal of any older Tunguska equipment. The system has two new radars with increased range, capable of tracking more air targets but also land targets. It has an integrated IFF system. Within the cabin two new LCD multi-function displays have replaced the multiple CRT display. A new central computer system greatly decreased the reaction time. Single operator operation can be achieved when needed. Due to the new technologies adopted, the overall volume of the weapon station is reduced by a third while the overall weight is reduced by half. The system has enhanced missiles (from type 57E6 to type 57E6-E probably interchangeable) and guns (from type 2A72 to type 2A38M). Live firing tests took place in June 2006 at the
Kapustin Yar Kapustin Yar (russian: Капустин Яр) is a Russian rocket launch complex in Astrakhan Oblast, about 100 km east of Volgograd. It was established by the Soviet Union on 13 May 1946. In the beginning, Kapustin Yar used technology, material ...
firing range,
Astrakhan Astrakhan ( rus, Астрахань, p=ˈastrəxənʲ) is the largest city and administrative centre of Astrakhan Oblast in Southern Russia. The city lies on two banks of the Volga, in the upper part of the Volga Delta, on eleven islands of the ...
Region, Russia. Final test series prior to delivery in May 2007 at Kapustin Yar included a forced march of to an unprepared launch position simulating the accomplishing of a typical air-defence mission. The Pantsir-S1 air-defence missile-gun system was adopted for service with the Russian Ground Forces in November 2012. The modernized Pantsir-S2 entered service in 2015.


Versions

Russia is developing a track-based Pantsir system to be more maneuverable with Russian Ground Forces and Airborne Forces."Russia to Arm Warships With Pantsir Air Defense System"
, RIA Novosti, 11 September 2013


Pantsir-S1

This is the first and most numerously produced version from 2008 to 2013, with more planned in 2019.


Pantsir-S1M

New upgraded variant of the Pantsir-S1 first unveiled in February 2019 as some of the planned models. Experience of the system deployment in Syria was applied during development of the new modification. It has an upgraded L-band search radar with ability to track up to 40 targets at once and new multifunctional EHF fire-control radar that can engage four targets simultaneously, both fitted with phased antenna arrays. The system uses a new 57E6M-E surface-to-air missile with an increased ceiling from , an engagement range from and a speed of . It has a 25 kg fragmentation warhead, compared to the 20 kg warhead of the standard 57E6-E missile. The first export contract was signed in August 2021.


Pantsir-M/EM

A naval variant of the land-based Pantsir-S1 was unveiled in July 2015. The system uses two GSh-6-30K/AO-18KD six-barrel rotary cannons, as found on the Kashtan/Kortik CIWS, eight missiles instead 12 and an additional radar separate from the one fitted on top of the turret itself. The Pantsir-M can simultaneously engage four targets with four missiles in an altitude from 2 to 15 km and at a range of 20 km. The system has an ammunition supply of 32 missiles. It has several combat modules, including an ammunition supply module in the storage and a reloading system under the deck. It may by fitted with surface-to-air missiles from both Pantsir-S and Hermes-K air defence systems with maximum firing range of the later of up to . In the future it will replace the Kashtan/Kortik CIWS on all Russian Navy's warships, starting by
Karakurt-class corvette The Karakurt class, Russian designation Project 22800 ''Karakurt'' (russian: Каракурт, , Latrodectus tredecimguttatus European Black Widow), is a new class of Russian corvettes (small missile ships in Russian classification) which have b ...
s in 2018. Trials of the Pantsir-M/ME began in December 2017. The system entered service in February 2019.


Pantsir-S2/S2E

A modernized system for the Russian Armed Forces and for export. Incorporates new tracking radar, two faced radars with enhanced features and range. It is in service with Russia and Algeria.


Pantsir-SM

The Pantsir-SM variant incorporates a multi-functional targeting station, increasing target detection range from and engagement range from . The system uses a new high-speed extended range missile. Existing Pantsir systems can be upgraded to SM standard. It is fitted to a new 8×8 Kamaz truck chassis with an armored cab. Development was completed in 2019.


Pantsir-SA

After testing Pantsir in the Arctic, it was decided to design a new version specifically for the Arctic, to use at temperatures below called the Pantsir-SA. This version has no 30 mm auto-cannon mounted and it is based on an articulated tracked Vityaz vehicle. It is in service with the
Russian Northern Fleet Severnyy flot , image = Great emblem of the Northern Fleet.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Northern Fleet's great emblem , start_date = June 1, 1733; Sov ...
as of August 2020.


Operations

The specific feature of the Pantsir-S1 system is the combination of a multiple-band target acquisition and tracking system in conjunction with a combined missile and gun armament creating a continuous target engagement zone from height and range up to height and range, even without any external support.


Modes

Using a digital data link system up to six Pantsir-S1 combat vehicle can operate in various modes. * Stand-alone combat operation: All the combat sequence from detecting a target to its engagement is fulfilled by a single Pantsir-S1 combat vehicle without employing other assets. * Operation within a battery (" master-slave"): One Pantsir-S1 operates both as combat vehicle and as "master" command post. Three to five Pantsir-S1 combat vehicles acting as "slave" receive target designation data from the "master" and subsequently fulfil all the combat operation stages. * Operation within a command post: The command post sends target designations to the Pantsir-S1 combat vehicles and subsequently fulfill the designation order. * Operation within a battery with command post and early warning radar: The command post receives air situation picture from a connected early warning radar and sends target designations to the Pantsir-S1 combat vehicles and subsequently fulfil the designation order.


Prototypes

* The Pantsir-S prototype from 1994 was built on a
Ural-5323 The Ural-5323 is an 8×8 heavy-duty off-road truck specially designed for army service. It has been produced since 1989 by the Ural Automotive Plant located in Miass, Russia. The Ural-5323 is a platform for the Pantsir-S1 gun-missile Air Defense ...
8×8 truck. * The Actual Pantsir-S1 is built on KAMAZ-6560 8x8 38t truck with . *
UAE The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...
Pantsir-S1 is built on a German
MAN SX The SX is a family of high-mobility off-road tactical trucks manufactured by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV). Production of the type had ended by early 2019. The SX range had its design origins in the MAN KAT1 range of trucks, and for ...
45 8×8 truck. * The Pantsir-S1 is also proposed to be built on an
MZKT MZKT (''МЗКТ'' or ''МЗКЦ'', be, Мінскі завод колавых цягачоў, , Minsk Wheel(ed) Tractor Plant (MWTP)) is a manufacturer of heavy off-road vehicles, especially military trucks, based in Minsk, in Belarus; it was ...
-7930 8×8 truck with from the
Belarus Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by R ...
company "Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant" * Another Pantsir-S1 option is a tracked chassis type GM-352M1E from the
Belarus Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by R ...
company " Minsk Tractor Plant". * KBP offers also a stationary variant built on a container probably able to be mounted on ships also.


Armament


Missiles

The Pantsir-S1 carries up to twelve ''57E6'' (export designation) ''57E6-E'' (export enhanced designation) two-stage solid fuel radio/optical command-guided
surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft syst ...
s in sealed ready-to-launch container tubes. Missiles are arranged into two six-tube groups on the turret. The missile has a bicalibre body, consisting of two stages in a tandem configuration. The first stage is a booster, providing rapid acceleration within the first 2 seconds of flight, after which it is separated from the sustainer-stage. The sustainer is highly agile and contains the high explosive multiple continuous-rod/fragmentation warhead, as well as the contact and proximity fuses, guidance flare and radio transponder. The missile is not fitted with a seeker to keep target engagement costs low. Target and missile tracking is instead provided via the system's multiband sensor system. Guidance data is submitted via radio link for up to four missiles in flight. The system is capable of tracking and guiding four missiles fired at four distinct targets. Operationally, however, two missile salvos are typically fired at each target. The 57E6 missile is believed to have a kill probability of 70–90%. They have a 15-year storage lifetime in its sealed launch container. Pantsir-S1 combat vehicles can fire missiles on the move. Additional missiles, one specifically designed to engage
unmanned aerial vehicle An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
s, and another one hypersonic, developing speeds of more than Mach 5, have been developed for the Pantsir system.


Autocannon

Two dual 2A38M
autocannon An autocannon, automatic cannon or machine cannon is a fully automatic gun that is capable of rapid-firing large-caliber ( or more) armour-piercing, explosive or incendiary shells, as opposed to the smaller-caliber kinetic projectiles (bull ...
guns are fitted with 700 rounds in a variety of ammunition—HE (High Explosive) fragmentation, fragmentation tracer, and armour-piercing with tracer. Ammunition type can be selected by the crew depending on the nature of the target. The maximum rate of fire is 2,500 rounds per minute per gun. Range is up to . The combined gun-missile system has an extremely low altitude engagement capability (targets as low as 0 m AGL can be engaged by this system). Wheeled combat vehicles have to be jacked up to keep the machine in the horizontal position and be able to fire the gun with full accuracy. The KAMAZ-6560 has four oil hydraulic jacks for this purpose. Gun: * Designation: 2A38M * Type: twin-barrel automatic anti-aircraft gun * Calibre: * Maximum rate of fire: 2,500 rounds per minute per gun *
Muzzle velocity Muzzle velocity is the speed of a projectile (bullet, pellet, slug, ball/shots or shell) with respect to the muzzle at the moment it leaves the end of a gun's barrel (i.e. the muzzle). Firearm muzzle velocities range from approximately to i ...
: * Projectile weight: * Ammunition: 700 rounds per gun * Minimum range: * Maximum range: * Minimum altitude: 0 m AGL * Maximum altitude:


Fire control

The Pantsir-S1 fire control system includes a target acquisition radar and dual waveband tracking radar (designation 1RS2-1E for export models), which operates in the UHF and EHF waveband. Its detection range is . Its tracking range is for a target with a
RCS RCS may refer to: Organisations *Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace * Radio Corporation of Singapore *Radcliffe Choral Society * Rawmarsh Community School *Red Crescent Society *Red Cross Society * Representation of Czechs and Slovaks, a football t ...
. Can also reliably achieve more, to . This radar tracks both targets and the
surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft syst ...
while in flight. Minimum target size () As well as radar, the fire control system has an electro-optic channel with a long-wave thermal imager and an infrared direction finder, including digital signal processing and automatic target tracking. A simplified, lower-cost version of the Pantsir-S1 is being developed for export, with only the electro-optic fire control system fitted. The two independent guidance channels—radar and electro-optic—allow two targets to be engaged simultaneously. And four for more recent options (2012). The maximum engagement rate is up to 10–12 targets per minute. Types of purposes. Aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, anti-radar missiles (detection range of
AGM-88 HARM The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) is a tactical, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments as ...
missile ),
air-launched cruise missile An air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) is a cruise missile that is launched from a military aircraft. Current versions are typically standoff weapons which are used to attack predetermined land targets with conventional, nuclear or thermonuclear p ...
s.


Support vehicles

In order to increase high operational readiness KBP has designed several vehicles to support the Pantsir-S1 in the field.
Command Posts (CP) * The unit Command Post is responsible for the automated control over combat operations of Air Defence (AD) units and subunits. Tasks accomplished by the regimental CP during warfare * Planning of combat operations and development of combat documents (commander's decision) * Assigning of operating frequencies of regiment radio electronic assets (acquisition radar, battalions, radio assets of the CP) * Calculation of coverage angles for selected positions of an acquisition radar and its detection zones and, battalion firing sectors * Routing and displaying of battalion routes during redeployment * Survey control and orientation of regiment assets (CP, acquisition radar). CP Capabilities * Battalion CP: up to six launchers (battalion) * Regimental CP: up to three battalions * 24 hour continuous operations * Time of shutting down/deployment: 5 minutes * Number of work stations: 4 * Crew: combat crew (3), driver-mechanic (1). Transporting-loading Vehicle (TLV) * One TLV per two combat vehicles. * The TLV ensures rapid replacement of ammunition during combat operations and carries two complete ammunition loads for combat vehicle (24 missiles and 2,800 rounds). Mechanic Maintenance Vehicle * MMV carries out unit vehicles maintenance including launcher mechanical systems and carries spare parts components Electronic Maintenance Vehicle (Launcher) * Maintenance of launcher radio-electronic and optronic systems including automated diagnostics of faulty equipment and its replacement. * The vehicle carries a load of common spare parts. Electronic Maintenance Vehicle (Command Post) * Responsible for maintenance and repair of the CP radio-electronic systems. * Carries a stock of common spare parts. Adjustment Vehicle * Carries out calibration of launchers radio-electronic and optronic systems. Mechanic Maintenance Vehicle (CP) * Responsible for maintenance and repair of the CP mechanical systems and chassis. * Carries a stock of common spare parts. Spare Parts Vehicle * This vehicle carries the common kit of spare parts, tools and accessories for the launchers. Mobile Trainer * Designed to train the combat vehicle crews in field conditions on the weapon system.


Multi-sensor system


Operational history


Libya

In June 2019,
United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...
deployed several of its Pantsir-S1 air defence systems to
Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya bo ...
, to support the
Libyan National Army The Libyan National Army (LNA; ar, الجيش الوطني الليبي, ''al-jaysh al-waṭaniyy al-Lībii'') is a component of Libya's military forces which were nominally a unified national force under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa ...
(LNA) in their advance towards
Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to: Cities and other geographic units Greece *Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in ...
. The Libyan Interior Minister of the
Government of National Accord The Government of National Accord ( ar, حكومة الوفاق الوطني) was an interim government for Libya that was formed under the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement, a United Nations–led initiative, signed on 17 December 2015. Th ...
(GNA),
Fathi Bashagha Fathi Ali Abdul Salam Bashagha ( ar, فتحي علي عبد السلام باشآغا; born 20 August 1962), known simply as "Fathi Bashagha" or occasionally Fathi Ali Pasha, is a Libyan politician and the interim prime minister of Government of ...
claimed one of the systems was reportedly destroyed by a GNA Libyan Air Force strike on 13 November 2019. On 15 May 2020, Turkish media showed a Pantsir system belonging to the LNA targeted in a GNA drone strike near the
Al-Watiya Air Base al-Watiya Air Base also known as Okba Ibn Nafa Air Base is a military airport in the Nuqat al Khams district of western Libya. It was named after Uqba ibn Nafi, the Islamic general who conquered North Africa. It is east of the Tunisian border ...
, southwest of Tripoli. Reportedly, the system was supplied by the United Arab Emirates. The airstrike came as a part of an operation to cut supplies to the LNA. Turkish media showed imagery of the airstrike. The LNA denied the claim made by the GNA. On 18 May, the Turkish-backed GNA captured the al-Watiya Air Base including a Pantsir-S1 TLAR belonging to the LNA. Later, it was reported that the captured Pantsir battery was the same targeted three days before and it was transferred by the United States to
Ramstein Air Base Ramstein Air Base or Ramstein AB is a United States Air Force base in Rhineland-Palatinate, a state in southwestern Germany. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and also ...
in Germany in June 2020. On 20 May 2020, Mohammed Gununu, a GNA spokesman claimed their forces had destroyed 7 Pantsir TLARs in Al-Watiya airbase, Tarhouna and Al-Wishka. Media sources reported the destruction of at least five defenses in the GNA offensive, in turn an LNA official denied the destruction of Pantsirs. On 8 June 2020, video footage was first leaked showing a Pantsir operated by UAE personnel. Post-conflict analysis showed that Pantsir was (at least temporarily) suppressed by combined efforts from electronic warfare systems on one side and long range artillery (or airstrikes) on the other side. Pantsir's positions were allegedly detected by long-range electronic warfare systems. Electronic warfare systems allegedly were at times able to jam Pantsir's radar and then forwarded the information to drone operators. In situations where jamming was not achieved strikes on Pantsir's positions were carried out with long range artillery. Pantsir operators compensated by switching off the radar and focused on the electro-optical sensors instead of the radar (i.e. thermal imager and infrared direction finder), in order to acquire targets and this reportedly improved both Pantsir's survivability and effectiveness. On 22 August 2022, a drone speculated to be China's CH-5 or Ch-4 or "something similar" to a US MQ-9 Reaper UAV was shot down over Libya by a Pantsir.


Syria

A Pantsir-S1 unit of the
Syrian Air Defense Force The Syrian Air Defense Force (SyADF), officially the Syrian Arab Air Defense Force ( ar, قوات الدفاع الجوي العربي السوري) is an independent command within the Syrian Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting the S ...
reportedly scored the first combat kill of the type by downing a
Turkish Air Force The Turkish Air Force ( tr, ) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Turkish Air Force can trace its origins back to June 1911 when it was founded by the Ottoman Empire, however, the air force as it is known t ...
RF-4E carrying out a reconnaissance flight over the Syrian coast near
Latakia , coordinates = , elevation_footnotes = , elevation_m = 11 , elevation_ft = , postal_code_type = , postal_code = , area_code = Country code: 963 City code: 41 , geocode ...
on 22 June 2012. The system has also been deployed on the territory of Syria by the Russian Armed Forces as part of
Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War {{Infobox military conflict , partof = the foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war, and the military intervention against ISIL , image = , image_size = , border = , caption = To ...
since 2015. A Russian poster displayed at the International Military Technical Forum «ARMY-2017», from March to July 2017, claimed that the Russia's Pantsir-S systems deployed in Syria destroyed 12 flying objects, including the UAVs Heron, Bayraktar,
RQ-21 The Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack, company name Integrator, is an American Unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned air vehicle designed and built by Boeing Insitu to meet a United States Navy requirement for a small tactical unmanned air system (STUA ...
A, and also various missiles and an
aerostat An aerostat (, via French) is a lighter-than-air aircraft that gains its lift through the use of a buoyant gas. Aerostats include unpowered balloons and powered airships. A balloon may be free-flying or tethered. The average density of the cra ...
. At the beginning of October 2017, it was reported that the Pantsir destroyed two MLRS "Grad" missiles launched by
ISIL An Islamic state is a state that has a form of government based on Islamic law (sharia). As a term, it has been used to describe various historical polities and theories of governance in the Islamic world. As a translation of the Arabic term ...
. On 27 December 2017, militants fired several missiles from the Bdama inhabited community at Latakia International Airport and the Russian Aerospace Forces deployment site in the
Khmeimim Air Base Khmeimim Air Base (Russian: Хмеймим), also Hmeimim Air Base, is a Syrian airbase currently operated by Russia, located south-east of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Latakia Governorate, Syria. The airbase shares some airfield faciliti ...
. Two missiles were intercepted by the Pantsir air defense system. In the night of 5–6 January 2018, the Khmeimim Air Base was attacked by 13 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Seven drones were eliminated by the Pantsir air defence systems, six landed at assigned coordinates with the use of electronic warfare hardware. On 14 April 2018, American, British, and French forces launched a barrage of 103 air-to-surface and cruise missiles targeting eight sites in Syria. According to Russian officials, twenty-five Pantsir-S1 missiles launched in response destroyed twenty-three incoming missiles, The American Department of Defense stated no allied missiles were shot down. A Pantsir-S1 system belonging to the Syrian Air Defense Force was damaged by the
Israel Defense Forces The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; he, צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the Israel, State of Israel. It consists of three servic ...
during the May 2018 Israel-Syria clashes. Images of the damaged system show it was effectively out of ammunition and the radar was disabled at the time of the strike. According to Chief Designer for Air Defense Systems at
KBP Instrument Design Bureau JSC ''Konstruktorskoe Buro Priborostroeniya'' (KBP) (russian: АО «Конструкторское бюро приборостроения», AO konstruktórskoje bjuró priborostrojénija Joint-Stock Company - Instrument Design Bureau) is one ...
(KBP) Valery Slugin, Israeli intelligence managed to track the position of the system after one of its operators called for re-supply and left his mobile phone in the cabin. On 21 January 2019, Israeli military reported it has destroyed two Pantsir-S1 systems near Damascus. Russia's Pantsir and Tor-M1 air defense systems shot down 27 rockets the militants had fired at the Khmeimim Air Base on 6 May 2019. In January 2020, Chief Designer for Air Defense Systems at KBP Valery Slugin reported Pantsir air defence systems intercepted about 100 drones during their combat operations all over the world, most of which took place in Syria. Pantsirs were also successfully used against various ground targets, such as terrorist's jihad mobiles, during their Syrian deployment. A Syrian Pantsir-S1 system was claimed to be destroyed by the
Turkish Armed Forces The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF; tr, Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri, TSK) are the military forces of the Republic of Turkey. Turkish Armed Forces consist of the General Staff, the Land Forces, the Naval Forces and the Air Forces. The current Chi ...
during strikes on Syria in the night of 27–28 February 2020. Russian media alleged that the video analysis of footage released by Turkish media indicated visible design differences between the system claimed to be destroyed by Turkey and the variant operated by the Syrian Air Defense Force, and claimed that the footage might not come from Syria at all. Russian media claimed that the footage was CGI saying that the traces of missing video fragments and debris having the same size and shape after the explosion. On 10 March 2020, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed two Pantsir-S1 systems were damaged during the recent Turkey-Syria clashes, adding that repair works were nearing completion. On July 19, 2021, four F-16 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force entered Syria's airspace via the US-controlled al-Tanf zone and fired eight guided missiles at an area southeast of Syria's Aleppo. Vadim Kulit, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, claimed that seven missiles were downed by the Russian-made Pantsir-S and Buk-M2 systems of the Syrian Air Defense Forces. In the evening of July 27, a drone was launched by militants from the Kafer-Khattar community in the Idlib Province. The militant drone was downed over the Hama Province by the Syrian air defense who used a Russia-produced Pantsir-S missile system, Kulit claimed the next day. Syrian air defense forces shot down 22 missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on 20 August 2021. Syrian air defense forces shot down twenty-one out of twenty-four missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on September 3, 2021. Syrian air defense forces shot down 8 out of 12 missiles fired by Israel in Syria using Russian-made Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on 08.10.2021. Syrian air defense forces shot down ten out of twelve missiles fired by Israel into Syria using Russian-made Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S systems, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said on November 24, 2021. On 13 May 2022, the Israeli Air Force launched attacks on SAA positions on Masyaf killing 5 people including one civilian, the attack destroyed one Pantsir-C1 system. On 25 August and 17 September 2022, new attacks were reportedly partly repelled by Syrian Pantsir-S1, Buk-M2E and S-75 systems.


Ukraine

Various independent experts believe that Pantsir-S1 systems were operated by Russian-backed forces during the
Russo-Ukrainian War The Russo-Ukrainian War; uk, російсько-українська війна, rosiisko-ukrainska viina. has been ongoing between Russia (alongside Russian separatist forces in Donbas, Russian separatists in Ukraine) and Ukraine since Feb ...
. Remnants of the main armament of the Pantsir-S1 were reported to have been observed in Ukraine in November 2014. It was also reportedly filmed in
Luhansk Luhansk (, ; uk, Луганськ, ), also known as Lugansk (, ; russian: Луганск, ), is a city in what is internationally recognised as Ukraine, although it is administered by Russia as capital of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). A ...
and photographed in
Makiivka Makiivka ( uk, Макіївка, Makíyivka, ; russian: Макеевка, Makeyevka, ), formerly Dmytriivsk, is an industrial city in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine. Located from the capital Donetsk, the two cities are practically a conurbati ...
in the rebel-held territories during early 2015. * On 1 March 2022, during the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
, a Pantsir-S1 system got stuck in the mud in Kherson, Ukraine, and was later destroyed by the Ukrainian Army. On 4 March, another system was found abandoned in Mykolaiv region. One system was reportedly destroyed during the
Battle of Snake Island On 24 February 2022, the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Navy attacked Snake Island, a Ukrainian island in the Black Sea, and captured it along with its entire garrison, beginning a military occupation of the island. ...
in late June or early July 2022. Ukrainian's army claimed it used a trophy Pantsir-S1 to shoot down an aerial target. According to the
OSINT Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the collection and analysis of data gathered from open sources (covert and publicly available sources) to produce actionable intelligence. OSINT is primarily used in national security, law enforcement, and busi ...
website
Oryxspioenkop Oryx, or Oryxspioenkop is a Dutch open-source intelligence (OSINT) defence analysis website, and warfare research group. It is run by Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans. Both have previously worked for Netherlands-based Bellingcat. Oliemans also wo ...
, by November 2022 at least 12 Pantsir-S1 were lost by Russia in the war.


Operators

; * People's National Army – 104 including Pantsir S1/S2 and SM. ; *
Ethiopian National Defense Force The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) ( am, የኢፌዲሪ መከላከያ ሠራዊት, Ye’īfēdērī mekelakeya šerawīt, lit=FDRE Defense Force) is the military force of Ethiopia. Civilian control of the military is carried out t ...
– unknown number, first seen in service in March 2019. ; *
Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea The Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea ( es, Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial; french: Forces armées de la Guinée équatoriale; pt, Forças Armadas da Guiné Equatorial) consists of approximately 2,500 service members. The army has almost ...
– 2 vehicles on order as of August 2017. ; * Army of Iran – Up to 10 vehicles as of 2012. ; *
Iraqi Armed Forces The Iraqi Armed Forces ( ar, القوات المسلحة العراقية romanized: ''Al-Quwwat Al-Musallahah Al-Iraqiyyah'') (Kurdish languages, Kurdish: هێزە چەکدارەکانی عێراق) are the military forces of the Iraq, Republic ...
– 42–50 on order. Deal was thought to be cancelled by the Iraqi government due to corruption concerns, but the deal was later confirmed to be going ahead. In September 2014, Iraq received first batch of Pantsir-S1. Russia finished supplying 24 Pantsir-S1 systems to Iraq in February 2016. ; *
Libyan National Army The Libyan National Army (LNA; ar, الجيش الوطني الليبي, ''al-jaysh al-waṭaniyy al-Lībii'') is a component of Libya's military forces which were nominally a unified national force under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa ...
– transferred by the United Arab Emirates in 2019. ; *
Tatmadaw Tatmadaw (, , ) is the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force. Auxiliary services include th ...
or internationally known as Myanmar Armed Force – The agreement was signed on 22 January 2021 during the Russian defence minister
Sergey Shoygu Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, ; tyv, Сергей Күжүгет оглу Шойгу, translit=Sergey Kyzhyget oglu Shoygu, . (russian: Сергей Кужугетович Шойгу; born 21 May 1955) is a Russian politician who has served as ...
visit to
Naypyidaw Naypyidaw, officially spelled Nay Pyi Taw (; ), is the capital and third-largest city of Myanmar. The city is located at the centre of the Naypyidaw Union Territory. It is unusual among Myanmar's cities, as it is an entirely planned city o ...
. ; *
Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces The Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (Arabic: القوات المسلحة لسلطان عمان, transliterated: ''al-Quwāt ul-Musallaḥatu lis-Sulṭān 'Umān'') are the Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman, Sultan's S ...
– Up to 12 vehicles as of 2012. ; *
Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (, ), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military forces of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with at least two m ...
– 110 Pantsir-S1 and S2 units in service in November 2017. 24 systems were delivered in 4th quarter of 2017. 6 more in early 2018. 3 more battalions in late 2021. 6 Pantsir-S2 units in service in May 2016. A new regiment took up combat duty in late 2022. ; *
Serbian Armed Forces The Serbian Armed Forces ( sr, Војска Србије, Vojska Srbije) is the military of Serbia. The President of Serbia acts as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while administration and defence policy is carried out by the Government o ...
– one battery (six units) of the Pantsir-S1 in service. Two more batteries of Pantsir-S1M on order. ; *
Syrian Arab Armed Forces The Syrian Arab Armed Forces ( ar, الْقُوَّاتُ الْمُسَلَّحَةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ, al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥah al-ʿArabīyah as-Sūrīyah) are the military forces of the Syrian Arab Re ...
– 36 to 50 on order signed in 2006 as part of arms package worth about US$1 billion; deliveries began in August 2007; ''Jane's Defence Weekly'' reported in May 2007 that 50 systems are on order by
Damascus )), is an adjective which means "spacious". , motto = , image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg , image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg , seal_type = Seal , map_caption = , ...
and that at least ten of those Pantsirs would be handed over to
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
by the end of 2008. According to ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', Iran is reported to be the main sponsor of the deal and is paying Syria for its services as an intermediary. Deliveries to
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
are categorically denied by a range of top Russian officials including First Deputy Prime Minister
Sergei Ivanov Sergei Borisovich Ivanov ( rus, Сергей Борисович Иванов, p=sʲɪrˈɡʲej bɐˈrʲisəvʲɪtɕ ɪvɐˈnof; born 31 January 1953) is a Russian senior official and politician who has served as the Special Representative of ...
. According to a source in the
Russian Ministry of Defence The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (russian: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации, Минобороны России, informally abbreviated as МО, МО РФ or Minoboron) is the govern ...
, Russia has supplied Syria with 40 Pantsir-S1 systems. It is operated by the
Syrian Air Defense Force The Syrian Air Defense Force (SyADF), officially the Syrian Arab Air Defense Force ( ar, قوات الدفاع الجوي العربي السوري) is an independent command within the Syrian Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting the S ...
. ; *
Armed Forces of the UAE The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces ( ar, القوات المسلحة لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة, Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa li-Dawlat al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyyah al-Muttaḥidah) are the armed forces of the Unit ...
– 50 on order;Eksport Vooruzheniy Journal, №1'2001 (January–February)
Preliminary Estimates of Russian Performance in Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign States in 2000
Launch customer of Pantsir-S1. Ordered in May 2000, half of them tracked, the other half wheeled. Due to deliver in three batches by the end of 2005–12 in 2003, 24 in 2004 and 14 in 2005. Prices given were
US$ The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
734 million (including a US$100 million advance payment to complete R&D), with the price per single unit being about US$15 million. Delivery postponed after new design decisions were taken and UAE is said to have paid an additional US$66 million to cover major improvements. All 50 systems will now be wheeled on
MAN SX The SX is a family of high-mobility off-road tactical trucks manufactured by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV). Production of the type had ended by early 2019. The SX range had its design origins in the MAN KAT1 range of trucks, and for ...
45 8x8 trucks from Germany, as well as the support vehicles. Delivery of the prototype occurred in 2007. With that, the MAN SX45 is the only "western" vehicle that can accommodate the S1 system and has a worldwide logistics and support network through its importer network. Delivery of the 50 systems ordered in 2000 began in 2007 with the first two serially produced systems. British ''Jane's Defence Weekly'' reported on October 30 delays in further deliveries. Based on test-firing data, some further optimisation of the systems is required. Deliveries will take place over the next three years under an amended schedule. As reported by ''
Kommersant ''Kommersant'' (russian: Коммерсантъ, , ''The Businessman'' or Commerce Man, often shortened to Ъ) is a nationally distributed daily newspaper published in Russia mostly devoted to politics and business. The TNS Media and NRS Russia ...
''in June 2006 UAE has expressed interest in acquiring an additional 28 systems and has likely signed an option for the delivery in 2009–2010. Russia delivered 50 Pantsir-S systems in their export configuration and 1,000 missiles to the UAE in 2009–2013. The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE's) Pantsir-S1 air defence systems are being upgraded, a senior official from Russia's Rostec defence group told the TASS news agency on 27 November 2019.


Potential operators

; *
Argentine Air Force "Argentine Wings" , mascot = , anniversaries = 10 August (anniversary) 1 May (Baptism of fire during the Falklands War) , equipment = 139 aircraft , equipment_label = , battles = * Operation Independence * Operation Soberanía * Falklan ...
Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
offered the Pantsir-S1 as a replacement for
Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
s aging Roland SAM. ; *
Armed Forces of Ukraine , imports = , exports = , history = , ranks = Military ranks of Ukraine , country=Ukraine The Armed Forces of Ukraine ( uk, Збро́йні си́ли Украї́ни), most commonly known ...
– Ukrainian forces claimed to have captured three Russian Pantsir systems during the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
. However, only two systems were visually documented, one of which was later destroyed. ; *
Vietnam People's Army Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...
/ Air Defence - Air Force – Some unconfirmed images cited on Chinese ''People's Daily'' have shown a Pantsir-S1 system which has been alleged to be operated by the Vietnamese Army.


Failed bids

; *
Brazilian armed forces The Brazilian Armed Forces ( pt, Forças Armadas Brasileiras, ) are the unified military forces of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Consisting of three service branches, it comprises the Brazilian Army (including the Brazilian Army Aviatio ...
– Brazil and Russia were in discussion since early 2013 about Brazil's acquisition of three batteries (one for each Armed Force, 12 launchers) worth 1 billion dollars. In 2015 the acquisition was postponed to 2016, and finally in 2017 Brazil decided to cancel the acquisition. Feeling the Pantsir-S1 won't be really acquired for Brazil,
MBDA MBDA is a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles.MBDA Inc. US Division Cor ...
and
Avibras Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial, based in Jacareí, São José dos Campos, Brazil, is a diversified Brazilian company which designs, develops and manufactures defense products and services. Its range of products encompasses artillery and aircr ...
are developing a new missile called AV-MMA ( CAMM variant) to be used on a new
Astros II MLRS Astros II (Artillery Saturation Rocket System) is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher produced in Brazil by the Avibras company. It features modular design and employs rockets with calibers ranging from 127 to 450 mm (5–17.72 inche ...
antiaerial version.


Gallery

file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -1.jpg file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -2.jpg file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -3.jpg file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -5.jpg file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -6.jpg file:Pantsir-S1 (tracked) - Engineering Technologies 2012 -8.jpg file:Radar 1RL-123E for Pantsir-S1 - InnovationDay2013part1-09.jpg file:Radar 1RL-123E for Pantsir-S1 - InnovationDay2013part1-10.jpg File:Radar 1RL-123E for Pantsir-S1 - InnovationDay2013part1-11.jpg File:MAKS Airshow 2013 (Ramenskoye Airport, Russia) (521-07).jpg File:MAKS Airshow 2013 (Ramenskoye Airport, Russia) (521-08).jpg


See also

* * * * * *


References


Further reading

* Тихонов С. Г. Оборонные предприятия СССР и России : в 2 т. — М. : ТОМ, 2010. — Т. 1. — 608 с. — 1000 экз. — ISBN 978-5-903603-02-2. * Тихонов С. Г. Оборонные предприятия СССР и России : в 2 т. — М. : ТОМ, 2010. — Т. 2. — 608 с. — 1000 экз. — ISBN 978-5-903603-03-9. * Савенков Ю. А., Сомков Н. И., Травкин А. А
Зенитный ракетно-пушечный комплекс «Панцирь» (рус.)
// Армейский сборник : журнал. — 2014. — Ноябрь (т. 245, № 11). — С. 35—37. — ISSN 1560-036X. * Фимушкин Ф., Слугин В. ЗРК ближнего действия «Панцирь-С1-0» с оптико-электронной системой наведения (рус.) // Военный парад : журнал. — 2004. — Май-июнь (т. 63, No. 03). — С. 12–14. — ISSN 1029-4678.


External links

*
Pantsyr S1 Air Defense Missile-Gun System and similar systems from the UK, USA, France, Germany, in comparison. (Rus)
{{Russian and Soviet missiles, collapse Weapons of Russia Surface-to-air missiles of Russia Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons of Russia KBP Instrument Design Bureau products Military equipment introduced in the 2010s