High-Precision Systems holding included in Rostec State Corporation has started delivering the latest surface-to-air guided short-range missiles for the Pantsyr family systems. A batch of miniature missiles has been dispatched by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation under the state defence procurement program. The miniature munitions are designed to counter a wide range of near-field targets, including UAV. The product specifications and engineering solutions implemented in the products were validated previously during the test. A package with four short-range missiles is placed in a standard seat of a conventional Pantsyr missile. Reloading with prepared packages takes the same time as when using conventional munitions. Moreover, depending on the alert mission, the Pantsyr crews can mount various combinations of miniature and conventional missiles increasing the air weapon flexibility. High-Precision Systems holding has first demonstrated the Pantsyr miniature missiles to the general public at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh. The missiles were showcased in Russia in the same year at the Fleet 2024 exhibition in Kronstadt.
“The new miniature missiles increase the Pantsyr ammunition load considerably — up to 48 munitions. Consequently, the system can intercept more air targets, for example, UAV. Thus, it will be much harder for the enemy to ‘clear’ the system load in an attempt to rupture the air defense line,” said Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the Weapons Cluster of Rostec State Corporatio, member of the Board of the Russian Mechanical Engineers Union.
The Pantsir missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems. Three types of vehicles make up one system: a missile launcher, a radar truck and a command post. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 (Russian: Панцирь-С1, NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound) as the first version, it is produced by KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia, and is the successor to the Tunguska M1. The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defence of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defence units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.
The Pantsir-S1 carries up to twelve 57E6 (export designation) 57E6-E (export enhanced designation) two-stage solid fuel radio/optical command-guided surface-to-air missiles in sealed ready-to-launch container tubes. Missiles are arranged into two six-tube groups on the turret. The system is capable of tracking and guiding four missiles fired at four distinct targets. Operationally, however, two missile salvos are typically fired at each target. Additional missiles, one mini-missile specifically designed to engage unmanned aerial vehicles (increasing the ammunition stock from 12 to 48 missiles, launched into serial production in June 2025), and another one hypersonic, developing speeds of more than Mach 5, have been developed for the Pantsir system. On 23 June 2025, Russia unveiled an upgrade to its Pantsir, now carrying 48 “mini-missiles” to be used against drones, sparing more expensive missiles for larger targets.
