Russian Pantsir-S1 SAM systems are being installed on farm towers in the country's regions

In the European part of Russia, units of the Air and Space Forces' anti-aircraft missile forces are deploying 96K6 Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (SAM systems) on specialized farm towers for low-altitude detection and interception. Footage of SAM systems on towers has appeared online.

Image source press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense

Rossiyskaya Gazeta notes that more modernized Pantsir-SM SAM systems may also be installed on the towers. Placing the Pantsir-S1 at a height of 25-30 meters helps its RLM SOC circular view radar detector and 1RS-3E target tracking and guidance radars become more effective.

Image source Telegram channel Militarist

In this position, the SAM system gains a 35% greater radio horizon range (45 kilometers instead of 30 kilometers for objects flying at altitudes of 35 meters). In addition, it gains the ability to intercept ultra-low-altitude targets over complex forest landscapes.

It is assumed that Russian SAM systems will be able to effectively counter the Lyuty kamikaze drones and Jet-80+ Banshee, as well as the low-observable SCALP-EG and R-360 Neptune cruise missiles.

Previously, it was known that more than 50 combat-ready Pantsirs protect Russian cities from enemy attacks. It was also recently proposed to use them to counter attacks on major strategic facilities and oil refineries.

Pantsir-S1 SAM System

Like other members of this SAM system family, it was created by the Tula KBP Instrument Design Bureau named after Shipunov, which is part of the High-Precision Systems of the Rostec State Corporation. It is assembled on a modular principle and can be located on any chassis, aim and fire while on the march, on the move.

The characteristics of the Pantsir-S1 SAM system include:

frost resistance — it is on combat duty in the temperature range from +50°С to -50°С;
ability to work 360 degrees on types of air targets of different sizes: from drones to missiles and aircraft. The Pantsir-S1 is configured for high-speed targets up to 1000 m/s at a distance of up to 20 km and has its own thermal imagers;
powerful phased array antennas that allow you to destroy objects in a radius of 200 m to 20 km and at an altitude of up to 15 km without external support.

The complex's reaction time is about 5 seconds, and it can simultaneously fire at four targets. Twelve anti-aircraft missiles and two twin-barreled 30 mm cannons with a ammunition load of 1400 rounds work on them.