KUBINKA, August 22. /TASS/. The serial production of the latest Pantsyr-SM air defense missile/gun system will begin in 2019, the press office of High Precision Systems (the weapon’s developer) told TASS at the Army-2018 international military and technical forum on Wednesday.

"The serial production of the air defense missile/gun system is planned to begin from late 2019," the press office said.

The first Pantsyr-SM prototypes have been made and their "trials are being held in compliance with the timeframe set by a state contract," the press office added.

The Russian defense industry is developing the Pantsyr-SM to replace Pantsyr-S1 systems operational in the troops. The latest Pantsyr-SM version is set to get a new high-speed missile whose range has been doubled to 40km. Pantsyr systems are designated for close-in defense of civilian and military installations, including long-range air defense missile complexes.