Russia to deliver air defense system to Algeria

Russia ironed out a contract with Algeria Thursday on the delivery of the cutting-edge Pantsir-S air defense system.

"The combat systems have already been delivered to the United Arab Emirates and Syria, and Algeria will be the next country to receive the Pantsir-S systems," said Yuri Savenkov, Deputy Director General of the Tula Instrument-Making Design Bureau that created the Pantsir system.

Meanwhile, negotiations with Libya were underway, he said as cited by the Itar-Tass news agency.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov announced on March 10 that supplies of the Pantsir-S, consisting of 12 surface-to-air guided missiles and two 30-millimeter automatic guns to the Russian army would begin this year.

Savenkov also said some 20 Pantsir systems would be delivered to the Russian Air Force in the next few years, 10 of which would be consigned on Thursday and displayed during the May 9 Victory Day parade.

The Pantsir system aims to protect small-scale national and military strategic targets, and is considered effective in countering high-precision weapons.

It can also be used to destroy underwater and surface light-armored targets and manpower.

Source: Xinhua