Air Defense: New Russian Naval Suite

Archives

July 30, 2011: The Russian Navy is replacing its Kortik autocannon/missile systems with a navalized version of the similar Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft system. Both systems use high-volume 30mm cannon, and longer range missiles, to destroy incoming aircraft and anti-ship missiles. The Kortik system was developed at the end of the Cold War, and entered service in 1992. The Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft system entered service (with the Russian Air Force) last year. Pantsir-S1 was supposed to be ready three years ago, but there were more technical problems. There's been a pattern of that with Pantsir-S1. Development began in the 1990s, but was sporadic for nearly a decade because there was no money.

Pantsir-S1 is a mobile system, each vehicle carries radar, two 30mm cannon and twelve Tunguska missiles. The 90 kg (198 pound) missiles have a twenty kilometer range, the radar a 30 kilometer range. The missile can hit targets at up to 8,400 meters (26,000 feet). The 30mm cannon is effective up to 3,200 meters (10,000 feet). The vehicle can vary, but the most common one carrying all this weighs 20 tons, and has a crew of three. Each Pantsir-S1 vehicle costs about $15 million. 

The naval version eliminates the vehicles, adds more waterproofing and vibration resistance. Pantsir-S1 is more effective and reliable than the older Kortik systems.

 

 


Article Archive

Air Defense: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close