In response to the need to provide air cover for its troops and amid the growing threat from Ukrainian drones, the Russian Ground Forces have tested the new version of the Pantsyr-SM-SV air defense missile system in combat, mounted on a new chassis that offers greater versatility.
State company Rostec confirmed that “The Pantsyr-SM-SV system, developed by our holding High Precision Systems, has confirmed its characteristics during tests and combat operations.” It is worth mentioning that the Russian agency TASS had previously reported that the latest update of the Pantsyr-SM-SV had completed its trials, confirming that it meets the requirements set by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The development of the Pantsyr mounted on a tracked chassis was announced in 2021, and it was introduced as the Pantsyr-SM-SV in 2022. The air defense system is mounted on a GM-5970.25 chassis, designed by the Russian company Mytishchi Machine-Building Plants. This variant was designed to provide a new air defense solution to Russian ground and air units, particularly the S-300V4 cruise missile systems, against small drones and precision weapons.
Like the Pantsyr S1, mounted on a wheeled truck chassis, the Pantsyr-SM-SV is armed with a combination of twelve (12) surface-to-air missile launchers and two A38M 30mm automatic cannons. To guide its fire, the Pantsyr-SM-SV is equipped with a multifunctional radar capable of increasing its target detection range from 40 to 75 km and attack range from 20 to 40 km, making it twice as effective as the current Pantsyr-S1.
Additionally, the new system can fire the new two-stage 57E6M-E missile, with a maximum range of 30 km, as well as the 57E6-E, with a range of 15 to 18 km. The two 2A38M cannons are used to destroy aerial targets at short distances, with an effective range of 200 to 2,000 meters and a maximum altitude of 4,000 meters.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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