How were the tests of the anti-aircraft complex in the Caspian Sea
Russian gunsmiths have completed the Pantsir-M naval anti-aircraft missile and artillery system. Now it is capable of shooting down anti-ship missiles flying at an altitude of 3-5 m above the surface of the water. Now the marine version of the famous complex can destroy the entire range of aerial targets — from small tactical drones to airplanes and missiles. Experts note that the Pantsiri will seriously strengthen the air defense of warships.
Trainable complexes
During the tests of the new small rocket ships of the 22800 Karakurt project, Pantsir-M anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems destroyed the most difficult targets simulating low-flying anti-ship missiles on the first attempt. They attacked the ships, flying at an altitude of 3 to 5 m above the surface of the water, sources in the military-industrial complex told Izvestia.
"All targets imitating anti—ship missiles were destroyed the first time," the interlocutors noted.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
Testing of the marine version of the Pantsir was not easy. Back in 2021, the type tests were successfully completed. But with the start of construction of small rocket ships of the 22800 Karakurt project, on which the missile defense system is currently being installed, a number of problems were identified that did not allow the complex to confidently work on complex low—flying targets - anti-ship missiles, the sources explained.
— The marine Pantsir shot down any other targets, but unfortunately, it did not work reliably on low—flying targets - now this problem has been solved. The complex has entered reliable operation," the interlocutors noted.
According to them, the Pantsir-M can shoot down the entire range of targets, from missiles to small UAVs. To combat small UAVs, instead of the standard container for one missile, four small ammunition can be installed to combat drones.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov
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Ships equipped with this complex receive a fairly reliable defense from unmanned boats (backs).
— During the tests, from the very first turn, it hits completely small surface targets at a distance of 700 m. This means that the backups will not come close to the ship equipped with the "Shell," the sources said.
Proven in combat
The marine version of Pantsir is the latest system, practically an analogue of the onshore complex of the same name, which proved itself well during its military operations. In terms of effectiveness, it is now probably the most effective short-range air defense system in the world, Dmitry Kornev, editor of the MilitaryRussia website, told Izvestia.
"All the threats that currently exist for ships at sea are the same as for land facilities that currently protect the land—based variants of Pantsir," the expert noted. — The appearance of a naval version to combat drones, cruise and anti-ship missiles increases the effectiveness of our fleet's air defense. Pantsir is currently considered the most effective complex of the last line of defense. Moreover, it has been tested in real combat conditions. There are no analogues of air defense systems in the world that combine rocket and artillery weapons, unless, of course, you count the Chinese replicas of the Pantsir.
Photo: TASS/Vitaly Nevar
Image source: iz.ru
The Russian ZRAK has an artillery system — these are two 30-millimeter submachine guns with six barrels each, the expert noted.
— The marine complex can work not only on air, but also on land and sea facilities, — said Dmitry Kornev. — It can also be guided by a television sight: it does not have to catch the target with radar. Therefore, it can fight not only missiles or drones, but also any surface objects, even small ones, that are difficult to detect by radar. It will be extremely effective against any unmanned boats, fire ships, for the simple reason that a burst of 30-millimeter shells is very serious. She will send any small ship, boat, skimmer, BACK or firebrand to the bottom.
The ground-based Pantsiri proved themselves well during a special military operation, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia.
"The complexes have proven in practice that they are capable of fighting all kinds of targets that may appear in a modern theater of military operations," the expert noted. "Pantsiri confidently hits modern missiles and drones. It is important that these are modular systems that can be installed on almost any warship. They can be installed not only on the Karakurty, but also on frigates, corvettes, amphibious and other new ships. The complex is capable of being effectively used to ensure the air and missile defense of our ships and vessels, to create protection against the most modern models of foreign military equipment.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Valentin Kapustin
Image source: iz.ru
Pantsir-M is installed on several ships of the Karakurt project 22800. Izvestia wrote that the Odintsovo ship was the first to receive it, the third in the series.
In 2023, it was reported that Pantsir-M first hit a Storm Shadow missile. It was installed on a ship that was on combat duty at the time.
Features of the complex
Pantsir-M can control the sky at a distance of up to 20 km and at an altitude of up to 15 km. It detects and confidently destroys any aerial targets: from strategic bombers to small quadrocopters.
Its ammunition includes missiles of various types, which allows you to choose weapons based on the type of target and the degree of danger it poses. One of the features of the marine version of the complex is the ability to destroy surface and coastal land targets.
The complex is designed to protect ships from attacks by cruise and anti-ship missiles, drones, airplanes, helicopters, as well as unmanned boats. Pantsir-M will replace the Dirk air defense system, developed back in Soviet times.
Vladimir Matveev
Bogdan Stepovoy
