Russia has unveiled a major upgrade to its Pantsir-S air defence system, significantly enhancing its firepower as the threat from drones continues to escalate in modern warfare.
Originally designed to protect military convoys and fixed installations, the Pantsir-S combines short-range missiles and twin 30mm automatic cannons on a mobile 8×8 truck chassis. It is equipped with a radar system capable of detecting targets at ranges of up to 30 kilometres.
The latest upgrade, announced by the Russian defence conglomerate Rostec, increases the system’s missile loadout from 12 to 48, quadrupling its interception capacity without extending reload time. This development marks a notable leap in Russia’s short-range air defence capability, particularly in its ongoing efforts to counter unmanned aerial threats.
