Russian Army to Receive New Air Defence System

The Russian Army will receive the newest Pantsir-S1 air defence systems this year, according to Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

Russian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Irina Kovalchuk said Serdyukov inspected several state-owned defence enterprises in the Tula region, according to Xinhuanet.com.

After the working trip, the minister announced that supplies of the Pantsir-S1 air defense system, which consists of 12 surface-to-air guided missiles and two 30mm automatic guns, would begin this year.

"Currently, ten such systems are being prepared for participation in the VE Day parade in Red Square," Kovalchuk was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency.

Developed by the Tula Instrument-Making Design Bureau, the Pantsir system is designed to protect small-scale national and military strategic targets.

The system can effectively counter high-precision weapons and can also be used to destroy underwater and surface light-armoured targets and manpower.