MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - A crawler-mounted option of the anti-aircraft missile-and-artillery system Pantsir is to come into service with Russia's Land and Airborne Troops(VDV), Dmitry Konoplyov, Managing Director of the OAO Instrument-making Design Bureau (IDB) public joint-stock company - the developer of the Pantsir, told Arms-Tass.
"Land Forces are really interested in Pantsir but they need it in a crawler-mounted option, not a wheeled one that is in service with the Air Force. The same applies to VDV. Corresponding developments are underway; relevant tactical and operational requirements have been issued by the Defence Ministry," Konoplyov said. There are no unresolvable engineering problems; however, this is no easy task;a crawler-mounted system will not go into service with the Russian Army in the next few months, he added.
"The work to accomplish this is proceeding in regular manner, in accordance with the documents signed with the Defence Ministry and coordinated plan," Konoplyov said.
He told journalists on Wednesday that a sea-based option of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery system would be adopted by the Russian Navy in one to two years' time.