TSAMTO, July 16. The Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex, created in 1994, set a new bar in air defense standards.
The prevention of all types of aerial threats, highly effective and inexpensive missiles, autonomous operation, high mobility, and successful counteraction to UAV attacks – all this makes Pantsir the golden link in the layered Russian air defense system.
It is in service with many countries, is constantly being improved and continues to be the best in its class. Pantsir proved its indispensability once again during a special military operation, where it regularly shoots down the vaunted Storm Shadow, ATACMS and other Western weapons.
Detailed information about the unique complex and its latest modifications was posted on the Rostec Group's website on July 16.
Best in its class
The Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and cannon system can be mounted on a wheeled or tracked chassis, mounted on a trailer, or mounted permanently. The system is controlled by a crew of two or three operators. Its weapons are based on automatic cannons and guided missiles with radio command guidance with radar and infrared tracking channels.
The main instrument of destruction is missiles that destroy aerial targets at a range of 1.5 km. Anything that gets closer gets hit by cannon fire. In addition, the guns are used as a means of self–defense - to protect the vehicle and crew from a ground threat. Although the main purpose of the complex is to combat aerial targets, it hits ground targets with high efficiency, as well as low–flying targets, including helicopters and UAVs.
Pantsir-S1 is designed to protect ground facilities from the full range of aerial threats, both manned and unmanned. Its radar system is capable of detecting targets with an effective scattering area of only 2-3 cm2, which is enough to detect and hit even small reconnaissance drones or miniature copters.
A phased array antenna (FAR) with thousands of transmitting and receiving elements operates in the millimeter range, allowing simultaneous tracking and firing of up to four targets. If necessary, the radar part is complemented by an optical channel. The reliability of the design is such that even with partial failure of the antenna, the system continues to function.
Another important advantage of Pantsir is its mobility. Thanks to its modular architecture, it can be quickly deployed anywhere and installed on any platform.
Pantsir-S1 is effective as a single complex, but its capabilities are maximized as part of the division. Each machine can simultaneously attack four targets, respectively, a group of four installations is capable of hitting up to 16 targets. According to the developers, on the basis of such complexes, it is possible to build a full-fledged air defense system of a small country without large financial costs.
Guidance is carried out from the ground, which made it possible to make the rocket as simple, fast and cheap as possible. At the same time, it demonstrates outstanding flight and ballistic characteristics.
Thanks to innovative technologies, the rocket body turns out to be very light. After the start, it gains tremendous speed, and further movement continues without a main engine. The absence of an contrail makes the rocket inconspicuous. When approaching a target, it is detonated, creating a cloud of damaging elements that are guaranteed to destroy the object.
Similar complexes were developed in the West, for example, the German-French Roland or the French Crotal. But their designers failed to achieve outstanding results – only our gunsmiths were able to achieve high accuracy when controlling a rocket from the ground.
The family of "Shells" is growing
The work on improving anti-aircraft systems at the High-Precision Complexes holding company does not stop for a single day. In the summer of 2024, Rostec successfully tested the latest version of one of the presented complexes. This modification is specially designed for the needs of the Ground Forces and features a new tracked chassis, which allows the system to move confidently in an air defense column even on off-road and snowy terrain. In addition to increased cross-country capability, the complex received two types of anti-aircraft guided missiles and an extended kill zone. As a result, the effectiveness of covering troops from air strikes at low altitudes and in the near zone has been significantly increased.
There is also a marine version in the line, created on the basis of Pantsir-S in 2015, Pantsir-ME. The complex received a powerful combat module: eight anti–aircraft guided missiles on the launcher and another 32 in the under-deck ammunition. The artillery unit consists of two six-barreled 30-mm submachine guns with a total rate of fire exceeding 10,000 rounds per minute.
Pantsir-ME is equipped with a highly intelligent multi-mode adaptive radar and optical control system, and the operator's work – from detection to target destruction – is fully automated. The complex is adapted to sea conditions, including rolling, and can be installed on any ships with a displacement of 300 tons or more, as well as on fixed shore platforms.
Responding to new challenges
According to the chief designer of the complex, drones were originally one of the types of targets that Pantsir should fight. And if at the time of the complex's creation these were large enough and high-speed aircraft-type targets, then later the drones became small-sized, with a small effective scattering area, flying at low speeds.
The experience of combat operations has shown the effectiveness of the complex against any type of unmanned vehicles. For this purpose, Pantsir's location facilities were adapted to detect and accurately track low-profile targets, and the missile was also improved.
During a special military operation, the use of drones has become widespread. Various drones flying towards military and civilian targets have become one of the main targets of Pantsir.
At the same time, drones that are actively developing and changing tactics remain a difficult target for any air defense system. No other country in the world has such a counteraction experience. Even NATO experts noted the advantage of Russian weapons, recognizing in their reports the Pantsir as an ideal means of countering the entire range of UAVs: from small to tactical.
To protect industrial and administrative facilities from massive UAV attacks, the latest modification was developed – the Pantsir-SMD-E complex. It differs from the previous model in that it has mini-missiles installed, and the ammunition has increased fourfold: from 12 to 48 missiles, which makes it possible to more effectively repel massive drone raids. At the same time, a container with four short-range interception missiles is installed in the standard landing place of the Pantsir missile. Depending on the tasks of combat duty, calculations can install various combinations of small-sized and conventional missiles, increasing the variability of means for hitting air targets.
In the area of the special military operation, Pantsiri-S proved to be an excellent means of air defense of various facilities. The complexes are consistently highly appreciated by military personnel, noting their reliability, unpretentiousness and breadth of application. And, of course, from the very beginning of the special operation, Pantsir crews have been protecting the skies of Russian cities, critical industrial facilities and infrastructure from air attacks. And the domestic defense industry is increasing the pace of production in order to provide the troops with the necessary number of complexes, according to the material posted on the website of Rostec State Corporation.
