Russia Missile and Air Defence programs

[Soldier30]

A video of the new Russian anti-drone system, Zubr, in action has been published. The Zubr air defense system is designed to protect stationary targets. It is mounted on a trailer and armed with 7.62mm machine guns. The Zubr air defense system was unveiled in 2024 and accepted into service in early 2026. The air defense system is already in service, but its numbers are unknown.

 

[Soldier30]

The Kalashnikov Group has upgraded the Russian Vikhr anti-tank guided missile, adapting it to engage UAVs. The Vikhr missile is successfully deployed on Russian Ka-52 helicopters. According to the group's head, Alan Lushnikov, the missile was upgraded because armored vehicles are being used less frequently in combat operations. The missile has been fitted with a proximity fuse and is now used against aerial targets. The Vikhr is guided by a laser beam, with the operator providing target designation.

 

[Soldier30]

Rare footage shows a stationary version of the Russian Pantsir-S1M air defense system mounted on a tower in the Moscow region. The Pantsir system employs four compact TKB-1055 "Gvozd" guided missiles designed to engage drones. Notably, TKB-1055 missiles have even been used to intercept cruise missiles. The Pantsir system also utilizes 57E6 missiles and 30mm 2A38M cannons.

 

[Soldier30]

The High Precision Systems holding has delivered a batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems and stationary Pantsir-SMD systems to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Reportedly, the Pantsir systems have undergone successful testing and have been accepted into service by military units. The Pantsir has proven to be one of the most effective means of countering aerial targets. It is worth noting, however, that both the Pantsir and its foreign counterparts struggle to engage small-sized or plastic UAVs.

 

[Soldier30]

Footage has been released showing tests of the new Russian "Baryer" laser system, designed to intercept aerial targets. The video demonstrates the laser being tested against a UAV. Technical specifications for the "Baryer" laser air defense system have not been disclosed, and the system's name may change in the future. It is worth noting that the "Baryer" laser system is already in successful operation, protecting a Russian strategic facility from drones. The air defense unit is housed in a container and receives target designation data from an unspecified type of radar. A test engineer for the system stated that the laser requires an engagement time ranging from a few seconds to a minute to disable a drone. The laser system features a high level of automation; it automatically acquires the aerial target and tracks it until it is disabled. The laser's power is sufficient to cause the drone to lose control, trigger the detonation of its warhead, or cause it to crash to the ground.