Brazil, Russia To Discuss Possible Sale Of Pantsir-S Gun-Missile System

The Russian Ministry of Defense Sunday announced that its Brazilian counterpart intends to discuss the purchase of air defense systems during talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev later this month.

"We are interested in acquiring three batteries of Pantsir-S1 missiles and two batteries of Igla missiles," General Jose Carlos De Nardi, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, confirmed in a statement.

The possible purchase of Russian anti-aircraft weaponry will be discussed during Medvedev’s visit to Brazil scheduled for the end of February, De Nardi added.

Manufactuered by the KBP, the Pantsir-S is a gun-missile system combining a wheeled vehicle mounting a fire-control radar and electro-optical sensor, two 30-mm cannons and up to 12 57E6 radio-command guided short-range missiles, and is designed to take on a variety of targets flying at low altitudes. It can also engage targets up to 20 km (12 miles) by missiles and 4 km (2.5 miles) using cannons, KBP claims.