Russian Army deploys first Pantsir SM SV air defense system to improve coverage in off-road conditions.

As reported by Voevoda on March 24, 2025, the Russian Army started to receive the Pantsir-SM-SV, a new tracked variant of the Pantsir short-range air defense system. The system has been observed in operational settings for the first time, with imagery confirming its presence in Russian military units. Photos taken in open terrain, showing the vehicle protected by gabion walls, indicate the system is in use either in rear positions or under trial deployment conditions. According to open-source reports, these images were likely captured during the winter or early spring of 2024.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

According to Russian sources, the system is being used in the Kursk border region and has also been deployed in areas associated with the war in Ukraine, but there is no concrete evidence to verify these claims. (Picture source: Telegram/Voevoda)

Developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, part of the High-Precision Systems holding under Rostec, the Pantsir-SM-SV is designed for integration into Russia's Ground and Airborne Forces. The system is based on the GM-5970 series tracked chassis, including versions identified as GM-352M1E and GM-5970.25. This chassis is already used in other Russian systems such as the Tor, Buk, and Tunguska. The tracked configuration was selected to improve off-road mobility and to enable the system to accompany mechanized and armored units during maneuvers. Earlier Pantsir variants, such as the Pantsir-S1 mounted on a KamAZ wheeled chassis, were considered less suitable for rough terrain due to mobility limitations and a high center of gravity.

The Pantsir-SM-SV is equipped with an updated radar and fire control suite. Its 1RS2-3 radar uses a phased array antenna and can detect targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 1 square meter at up to 60 kilometers and targets with an RCS of 0.07 square meters at 27–30 kilometers. The radar’s overall detection range is up to 75 kilometers. Reports indicate the system includes a multifunctional targeting radar capable of simultaneously tracking and engaging multiple aerial threats, including loitering munitions, UAVs, cruise missiles, low-flying helicopters, and guided projectiles such as GMLRS.

The armament includes two types of surface-to-air missiles. The system can fire the standard 57E6 missile, as well as the two-stage 57E6M, which features a higher-speed booster, improved aerodynamic performance, and kinetic impact warhead referred to as "Zavesa." The 57E6M reaches speeds up to Mach 5.5 and can intercept targets at ranges up to 35 kilometers. Some reports also mention a 57EBM-E missile variant that uses “hit-to-kill” technology and does not carry an explosive warhead. The use of this type of interceptor is intended to engage ballistic or hypersonic threats through direct kinetic impact.

In addition to the standard missiles, the Pantsir-SM-SV incorporates smaller anti-aircraft guided munitions designated 19Ya6 or TKB-1055. These compact missiles are intended to counter UAVs and are effective at ranges up to 7 kilometers. Their smaller size allows for an increased number of ready-to-launch missiles, potentially up to 48 in a modified version without cannon armament which was presented during the Army-2024 forum.

The system retains dual 2A38M 30mm automatic cannons for close-in defense, with an effective range of 200 to 2,000 meters and a maximum engagement altitude of 4,000 meters. These weapons support engagement of low-flying aerial threats at short range. The Pantsir-SM-SV is reportedly capable of engaging up to four targets simultaneously and achieving an engagement rate of up to 16 targets per minute, depending on operational conditions.

The vehicle’s tracked platform enables it to traverse snow, mud, forested paths, and other off-road environments. This capability allows it to accompany ground forces and provide air defense coverage during both movement and static deployments. According to Russian sources, the system is being used in the Kursk border region and has also been deployed in areas associated with the war in Ukraine, but there is no concrete evidence to verify these claims. In these roles, it is intended to support both point defense of infrastructure and mobile air defense for maneuver units.

The development of the Pantsir-SM-SV began in the early 2020s. According to statements made by Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov in 2021, development of this system was conducted in parallel with the 57mm Derivatsiya-PVO artillery-based air defense system. In 2022, Leonov stated that the Pantsir-SM-SV would have two types of guided missiles and an increased engagement zone. In October 2022, General Oleg Salyukov announced plans to adopt the Pantsir-SM-SV, Derivatsiya-PVO, and the Typhoon-PVO vehicle for anti-aircraft squads.

On January 1, 2024, Rostec confirmed that testing of the Pantsir-SM-SV had been completed. A demonstration of live-fire capabilities took place on May 13, 2024, at the Kapustin Yar test range. In August 2024, Rostec stated that the system had been tested under combat conditions and confirmed its performance characteristics.

The Pantsir-SM-SV is described by Russian sources as suited for use both in rear areas and near the frontline. In particular, it has been used in support of engineering units at pontoon-bridge crossings and in defense of critical assets in the Kursk sector. Defense observers emphasize its intended role in integrated layered air defense, operating alongside longer-range systems such as the S-400 and Buk-M3. Reports suggest the system has been observed operating in static positions, without additional camouflage or anti-drone netting, suggesting either limited fielding or testing status.

The system is currently undergoing what appears to be limited operational deployment. While production scale remains unconfirmed, the presence of Pantsir-SM-SV vehicles in the field suggests the system is in active trial service or early fielding stages. As of March 2025, this may be one of the first publicly confirmed tracked Pantsir variants deployed outside of formal displays or exhibitions.