When it comes to collecting diecast military vehicles, particularly modern era weaponry, air defense systems are oftentimes considered to be one of those bantamweight divisions that routinely takes a back seat to the main event draw — tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Let’s face it, air defense systems aren’t quite as sexy or well known as the “heavies” of contemporary mobile warfare, oftentimes loitering in the rear areas guarding key positions or routes of advance and therefore far from the fighting where the cameras are rolling.
So, when Panzerkampf decided to model the Russian-built Pantsir S-1 air defense system earlier this year, collectors instantly took note, clearly intrigued by a system they may have seen in the media but wondered what purpose they served and why they were caught up in the conflict miles behind the front lines.
The Pantsir (Russian: “Carapace”) missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 (NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound) as the first version, it is produced by KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia.
The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.
The first finished version was completed in 1995 with the 1L36 radar, later another was designed. It is a short to medium range ground-based air defense system, wheeled, tracked or stationary with two to three operators. Its air defense consists of automatic anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles with radar or optical target-tracking and radio-command guidance.
The manufacturer claims that their Pantsir has already entered production and may have as many as six different vehicles in the works, largely with different camouflage patterns. So, together with Dragon’s revamped Neo Dragon Armor vehicles and other Panzerkampf “heavies”, it appears as if collectors will have lots to choose from this holiday season, at least as far as modern warfare is concerned. Incidentally, no cost has yet to be established for this item so we are unable to accept any pre-orders. We will update our site once we have a better idea as to how to price this item as well as their expected arrival dates.
