Russia Defense Ministry said on Dec. 18 that Russia is upgrading its Pantsir-S air defense systems with enhancements that will improve their capability to intercept UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
The modernized Pantsir-S systems will not only be able to detect and engage drones more effectively, but also be adapted for deployment in harsh climate conditions of the Arctic, where Russia is reactivating an airfield after 20 years.
Pantsir-S (SA-22 Greyhound) is based on a wheeled vehicle which combines two 30-mm cannons and up to 12 short-range missiles along with a radar system.
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It’s a system designed for point and area protection of sensitive targets from all kind of targets, from ground to 15,000 feet, range up to 20 km, moving at speed up to 1,000 m/s. Since it is believed to be able to detect small moving objects as well as stealth aircraft, it is unclear what enhancement will make the about 50 Pantsir systems serving with the Russian Air Force capable to better fight UAVs.
By 2015, Russian military will start receiving the new Pantsir-SM systems according to the Russian MoD.
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