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SA-22 (Greyhound) / Pantsir-S1

2003 MODERN

History

As the capabilities of existing and next-generation aircraft continue to increase, the world's militaries urgently need to develop advanced air defense solutions. This is the case with the Russian-origin Pantsir-1, which NATO refers to as the SA-22 Greyhound, an 8x8 wheeled short-to-medium-range (SAM) self-propelled (SP) surface-to-air missile system. The weapon system has been in service (albeit in limited numbers) since 2003 and currently has more than 20 examples for the Russian army, as well as the Syrian army (a longtime Soviet customer). Additionally, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates are said to have ordered Pantsir-1 vehicles, while Brazil has been mentioned as a possible Pantsir-1 candidate in the near future.

A naval version of the Pantsir-1 is also planned, with the ultimate goal of equipping various Russian Navy destroyers, warships and similar vessels with a robust defense product.

The Pantsir-1 is a true surface-to-air component consisting of a bolt-on automatic cannon, a set of missile launch tubes and an advanced integrated radar tracking/orientation system. Therefore, the assembly can be mounted on various types of chassis, including wheeled and tracked vehicles as well as the aforementioned warships. The wheeled version shown is a four-axle 8x8 truck arrangement with an enclosed cab and an additional operator's cab for launch crews. The launcher assembly is located on the rear of the truck, giving an unobstructed view of what's going on around the vehicle.

The identified alternative is the tracking product, with the launch vehicle components attached to the fuselage of the GM-352 vehicle. Development of the Pantsir-1 system began in 1990 as a replacement for the outdated but effective Tunguska series of air defense platforms.

In 1994, work on a new air defense system culminated in the presentation of a pilot vehicle (this one on a Ural-5325 8x8 truck chassis). A more complete version was shown to potential customers during the 1995 MAKS exhibition. However, a lack of government funding slowed the project and ended up on hold for a while until UAE backers provided the necessary funding to allow the project to be implemented in about five years.

The production model was then shown on the chassis of a KAMAZ-6560 8x8 truck, while the UAE Army version was built on the chassis of a MAN SZ 45 8x8 truck a testament to the high adaptability of the Pantsir-1 system.

The Pantsir-1 is a state-of-the-art fully digital air defense weapon system that combines advanced track, search and strike capabilities with a hybrid artillery/missile weapon for short to medium ranges with high "first kill" probability. Mounted on the chassis of a mobile vehicle, the Pantsir-1 becomes a powerful mobile air defense platform, ready to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield. The primary weapon system is a collection of 12 x 57E6 series radio-guided surface-to-air missiles housed in four separate triple-barreled launchers.

The missile component works with 2 x 30mm 2A38M automatic cannons, capable of firing different types of warheads depending on the defensive role. This "one-two" strike ensures a high probability of killing against all types of low-flying aircraft, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. Fire control is guided by two phased array radar systems with 360-degree coverage and a range of up to 36 kilometers, while engagements can take place below 28 kilometers.

The entire vehicle crew consists of only three people - a vehicle driver and two system specialists responsible for the launcher/cannon.

The Syrian Army used the Pantsir-1 for the first time in combat in June 2012, when the system tracked and successfully shot down an invading Turkish McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft. Additionally, the release of Pantsir-1 has also been curtailed due to limited availability.

With the number of systems currently ordered (potentially as high as 250), this should change dramatically.

Iraq received some Pantsir-S1 systems as part of the 48-member agreement signed with Russia in October 2012.