In a bid to bolster the safety of the strategically vital Crimean Bridge, Russia has put in two superior Pantsir-SM air protection programs on steel towers on Tuzla Island within the Kerch Strait.
The Pantsir-SM programs, an export variant that includes an armored cabin on a KamAZ-53958 chassis, are painted in desert camouflage and have been beforehand displayed as a novel prototype throughout Russia’s Victory Parade in Tula and the “Military” discussion board.
The Crimean Bridge, also called the Kerch Strait Bridge, has been a key infrastructure hyperlink between mainland Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The set up of those superior air protection programs comes amid growing issues about potential threats to the bridge, which has been focused in earlier assaults.
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The Pantsir-SM, known as Pantsir-S1M on this configuration, boasts a number of enhancements over its commonplace counterparts. With enhanced tactical and technical specs, this mannequin can interact aerial targets at better vary and altitude, offering a essential layer of protection in opposition to plane, helicopters, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. The system can also be outfitted to deal with mass aerial assaults and may make use of two forms of missiles, the 57E6M-E and 57E6-E, that are integral to the Pantsir-S1 programs.
HD video fragment that includes ‘Pantsirs’ on Tuzla island. Hyperlink to the total video in case will probably be deleted from YT: https://t.co/z3mThnI9Rh pic.twitter.com/Wlhet3W2ac
— Mark Krutov (@kromark) September 26, 2024
The choice to deploy these programs on elevated steel towers displays an effort to shut air protection gaps within the space across the Crimean Bridge, which has been recognized as susceptible to aerial strikes. The peak of the towers supplies the Pantsir-SM programs with a broader vary of detection and engagement, considerably bettering their operational effectiveness.
The deployment of those air protection programs mirrors related actions taken round Moscow, the place Pantsir-SM programs have been put in on towers to guard essential property within the Russian capital.
Russia’s elevated give attention to defending the Crimean Bridge comes because the geopolitical scenario within the area stays tense, with Ukraine persevering with to problem Russia’s management of Crimea. The bridge itself has been a logo of Russian authority over the area, and its safety is seen as important to Moscow’s strategic pursuits.
