Missile Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound)

Development of the Pantsir system began in 1990 as a successor to the Tunguska M1. A prototype was completed in 1994 and displayed in 1995. Following a period of development that included a redesign of the turret and radar systems, the system was adopted for service with the Russian Ground Forces in 2012.

The Pantsir-S1 is a self-propelled air defense system comprising a missile launcher, radar vehicle, and command post. It provides point defense for military and industrial installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system utilizes a combination of surface-to-air missiles and twin-barrel automatic cannons. The primary armament consists of two-stage, solid-fuel, command-guided missiles. These missiles carry high-explosive fragmentation or continuous-rod warheads with contact and proximity fuses. Variants include the capacity to carry mini-missiles for drone interception or high-speed missiles. The automatic cannons provide secondary defense, capable of firing high-explosive or armor-piercing ammunition.

Guidance is achieved through a multi-band fire control system incorporating phased-array radars alongside an electro-optic channel with thermal imaging and infrared direction finding. The system can operate in fully automatic or passive modes and is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously. Fire control allows for target engagement while the vehicle is in motion. The system is designed for integration into multi-layered defense networks, such as those employing S-400 batteries.

The system is widely deployed and has been exported to countries including Algeria, Ethiopia, Iraq, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates. It has seen combat use in several conflicts. In the Syrian Civil War, the system was credited with downing a Turkish reconnaissance aircraft and has been used to defend the Khmeimim Air Base against drone and rocket attacks. During the Second Libyan Civil War, units were operated by the Libyan National Army. In the Russo-Ukrainian War, the system has been utilized by Russian forces for point defense, including deployments in Moscow; several units have been captured or destroyed, with some reportedly used by Ukrainian forces as trophy equipment. Incidents include the 2024 damage to an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet over the North Caucasus and a 2024 friendly fire event involving a Ka-29 helicopter over Crimea. The system has also been used to engage ground targets, such as improvised explosive vehicles.