Russian army has put into service Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Missile/Gun System, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Tula-based KBP Instrument Design Bureau. KBP has developed Pantsir-S1 and put it into serial production. According to the company, the corresponding instruction was signed by Dmitry Medvedev.

“Pantsir-S1 is the leader among short-range air defense systems. It embodies all the principles of the concept of versatile short-range air defense system developed and implemented by KBP, which ensures its superiority over foreign analogues. This system became the missing link in the Russia’s air defense providing its maximum efficiency", — said in the enterprise’s statement.

At present KBP is performing several contracts on production of Pantsir-S1 for Russian armed forces and foreign countries.

Pantsir-S1 system is intended for air defense of small-size military and industrial objects and regions as well as strengthening the air defense groups while repelling mass air threats. According to the enterprise, Pantsir-S1 has a high versatility and it is capable of firing in motion and engaging four targets simultaneously.

According to KBP, the system’s range is 20 km and altitude – up to 15 km (by missiles). The effective area of guns is 200-4000 meters (range) and up to 3 km (altitude).