Russia's new short-range gun and missile air defense systems will take part in a Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

This year's parade in Moscow to mark the 65th anniversary of Soviet victory in WWII will involve more than 10,000 personnel, 160 military vehicles and 127 aircraft.

"Eight new Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, designed to provide point defense for civilian and military installations and to protect theater and strategic air defense complexes, such as S-300 and S-400, will participate for the first time in a military parade on the country's main square this year," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.

The Pantsir system was unveiled at the MAKS air show near Moscow in 1995 and has been thoroughly modified since then. It is expected to replace the obsolete Tunguska air defense system in the Russian army.

The first 10 Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound) air defense systems entered service with the Russian Air Force on March 18, 2010.

The system carries up to 12 guided surface-to-air missiles with an operational range of 20 kilometers (12 miles). It also has two dual 30-mm automatic cannons that can engage targets up to 4 km away.

The combination of missiles and cannons allows the system to effectively engage aerial targets at various ranges and altitudes.

MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti)