Pantsir missile system


The Pantsir missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems. Three types of vehicles make up one system: a missile launcher, a radar truck and a command post. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 as the first version, it is produced by KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia, and is the successor to the Tunguska M1.
The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defence of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; 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 size or as defensive asset of higher ranking air defence systems like S-300/S-400. 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. 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 it may engage the target within a range from −5 to +85 degrees. The interval between missile launches is 1–1.5 seconds.
The S-400 Triumf and Pantsir missile system can be integrated into a two-layer defense system.
On 23 June 2025, Russia unveiled an upgrade to its Pantsir, now carrying 48 “mini-missiles” to be used against drones, sparing more expensive missiles for larger targets.

Development

Originally Soviet strategic missile systems had been placed in fixed, hardened sites. Newer systems such as the S-300PS/PM 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. One of the roles for the Pantsir-S is to provide air defence to the S-300 missile systems.
It was decided that a wheeled chassis would be better than a tracked chassis for the Pantsir-S, as 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. A prototype was completed in 1994 and displayed at the MAKS-1995. The program soon ran into difficulties which resulted in a halt in funding, but KBP continued development of the program using its own funds. Both the turret and radar systems were redesigned, and all older Tunguska equipment was removed.
The system has two new radars with increased range, capable of tracking more air targets, and also land targets. It has an integrated identification friend or foe system. Within the cabin two LCD multi-function displays have replaced the multiple CRT display. A new central computer system greatly decreased the reaction time. A single person can operate the system if necessary. The use of newer technologies allow the overall volume of the weapon station to be reduced by a third, and the overall weight by half. The system has enhanced missiles and guns.
Live firing tests took place in June 2006 at the Kapustin Yar firing range, Astrakhan region, Russia. Final test series prior to delivery in May 2007 at Kapustin Yar included forced travel of to an unprepared launch position, simulating 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.

Variants

In August 2024, Russia completed tests of a maneuverable track-based Pantsir-SM-SV system for service with Russian Ground Forces and Airborne Forces.

Pantsir-S1

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

Pantsir-S1M

A newly upgraded variant of the Pantsir-S1 first unveiled in February 2019 as some of the planned models. Experience from deploying the system in Syria was applied during the 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 of 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 be 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 corvettes 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, Syria 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. It is reportedly deployed in Ukraine as of December 2023.

Pantsir-SA

After testing Pantsir in the Arctic, it was decided to design a new variant specifically for the Arctic, to use at temperatures below called the Pantsir-SA. This variant 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 as of August 2020.

Pantsir-SMD-E

A version unveiled in the "Army-2024" forum. It removes the cannons and could carry 12 57E6-series short-range missiles or 48 TKB-1055 very-short-range interceptors, or a mix of the two types. On 17 June 2025, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov stated that “This is very important in order to provide protection against drones, because twelve missiles are sometimes not enough if there is a massive attack”. Deliveries to the Russian forces reportedly started in September 2025.

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 : 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 fulfill 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 fulfill the designation order.

    Prototypes

  • The Pantsir-S prototype from 1994 was built on a Ural-5323 8×8 truck.
  • The Actual Pantsir-S1 is built on KAMAZ-6560 8x8 38t truck with.
  • UAE Pantsir-S1 is built on a German MAN SX 45 8×8 truck.
  • The Pantsir-S1 is also proposed to be built on an MZKT-7930 8×8 truck with from the Belarus company "Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant"
  • Another Pantsir-S1 option is a tracked chassis type GM-352M1E from the Belarus company "Minsk Tractor Plant".
  • KBP offers also a stationary variant built on a container probably able to be mounted on ships also.
  • The new Carapace model is ZS25. It is planned to produce 1800 cars in 2025.

    Armament