Myanmar to acquire Pantsir-S1 air defense system, Orlan-10E UAVs from Russia

 

The Pantsir-S1 air defense system from Russia. Photo c/o Israeli Firepower.

The Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) will be receiving an unspecified number of Pantsir-S1 short range air defense system,  Orlan-10E small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and radar locating systems from Russia.

Press reports from Russian and Myanmar reported that Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed an agreement with the Myanmar government as part of his official visit to the country on 22 January 2021.

It is believed that Myanmar would be getting at least 2 batteries or 12 firing vehicles of Pantsir-S1, which is used for point air defense to defend ground units and fixed installations against low and extremely low flying supersonic and subsonic aerial threats and precision munitions.

The Pantsir-S1 has an effective range of around 20 kilometers and a maximum engagement altitude of 8 kilometers , wherein it can use its two 2A38M 30mm cannons and 12 ready-to-fire 57E6 short range surface-to-air missiles.

Meanwhile, the Orlan-10E is a catapult-launched small surveillance UAV that could be used for aerial reconnaissance, aerial imagery and 3D mapping using sensors.

The UAV itself has  a maximum takeoff weight around 15 kilograms, an endurance of up to 16 hours, and a range of up to 140 kilometers.

Myanmar is a traditional buyer of Russian weapon systems, with Myanmar relying on Russian arms, the most recent was the purchase of Sukhoi Su-30SME fighter aircraft for the Myanmar Air Force (MAF).




[1] Army Recognition
[2] New Defence Order Strategy
[3] Myanmar Defence Review