How Israel humiliated Russia's air defense

Anti-aircraft missile system Pantsir S-1 truly is the star of Russian defense – designed for showing off during military parades, raising Putin supporters’ morale, and making the Mordor elite feel better about themselves. Just like shamanic amulets that protect from evil spirits. 

The efficiency of this highly praised SAM system is only 19%. These are the official Russian data based on their performance in Syria. Pantsir doesn’t detect small and slow targets, like drones, for example. At least it can shoot down geese  – Russians complain that large birds are often mistaken for UAVs.

“Pantsir S-1 truly is the star of the Russian defense – designed for showing off during military parades, raising Putin supporters’ morale, and making the Mordor elite feel better about themselves. Just like shamanic amulets that protect from evil spirits”

This missile system is particularly inefficient in the urban setting. It barely detects threats due to high-rise buildings, and missiles very often destroy the surrounding houses. There were many cases of this sort in Belgorod.

Israel has publicly humiliated Pantsir, showing that its effectiveness is close to zero.

Iran has a dozen of these missile systems. Israel sent a swarm of drones to several Iranian strategic targets, and none of them were hit. Although, it won’t change how proud Russians are of their cherished Pantsirs.

“Iran has a dozen of these missile systems. Israel sent a swarm of drones to several Iranian strategic targets, and none of them were hit. Although, it won’t change how proud Russians are of their cherished Pantsirs.”

In fact, Russians will soon learn what the words “effective anti-aircraft defense” actually mean. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu considers sending the Iron Dome to Ukraine. This system detects a target in a few seconds, and its efficiency is estimated at 87-90%. It is capable of shooting down Grad and Uragan missiles, mortar mines and drones.

Pantsir S-1 on the roofs of Russian buildings only demonstrate the Kremlin's fear, as well as inferiority and efficiency of their beloved system "which has no analogues in the world."

The same can be said about "modern" Russian air defense in general: they cut down trees in Moscow parks and stack S-400s there, creating the illusion of security. But this is a different story.

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About the author. Orest Sokhar, journalist, Obozrevatel editor in chief

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.