Pantsir was developed by the Tula KBP as an upgrade to the Tunguska surface-to-air missile system, offering an extended engagement capability, such as the use of both guns and missiles on the move (Tunguska can use only guns), on the tracked system.
"We have an R&D program through 2011," Arkady Shipunov said. "In the past few years, we have entered the world market with a new product, the Pantsir air defense system. We have concluded $2.6 billion worth of contracts for the delivery of this system."
He said the company could expand its export deliveries at an annual rate of 20-25% in the foreseeable future, adding that current export growth was at 15% per annum.
Established in 1927, the KBP is one of Russia's leading defense systems designers. It has developed more than 130 models of arms and military equipment that have been adopted for service in the Russian Armed Forces.
