Russia Gets Six Pantsir Air Defense Systems

Russia has received six Pantsir-S short-range air defense systems, said the head of air defense troops of Russia's Air Forces, Maj. Gen. Viktor Gumenny. Accoroding to Gumenny, the air defence forces commands in Russia will be equipped with the new system. The Defense Ministry has so far ordered 100 Pantsir-S units for Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces, which are expected to be delivered in the next few years. “The 2013 state defense order for such systems will be implemented in full,” Gumenny said. Developed KBP, the Pantsir is a gun-missile system combining a wheeled vehicle mounting a fire-control radar and electro-optical sensor, two 30-mm cannons and up to 12 57E6 radio-command guided short-range missiles, and is designed to take on a variety of targets flying at low altitudes. The Pantsir can engage targets up to 20 km (12 miles) by missiles and 4 km (2.5 miles) using cannons, KBP says.