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UAE must wait for Pantsirs
By Nikolai Novichkov
10/30/2007
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will in 2007 receive only the first two serially produced Russian 96K6 Pantsir-S1 self-propelled (SP) short-range gun/surface-to-air missile air-defence systems from the 50 it has ordered.
The delay in deliveries has occurred because trials of the first engineering prototype, supplied in late 2006, are due for completion only in late October.
Based on test-firing data, some further optimisation of the systems is required.
The delivery of the remaining 48 Pantsir-S1s to the UAE will take place over the next three years under an amended schedule.
Original plans called for the supply of 12 units in 2007, 24 in 2008 and 14 in 2009. All systems will be supplied on an 8 x 8 wheeled platform acquired by the UAE from MAN trucks.
The Tula-based KBP Instrument Design Bureau, developer of the Pantsir, currently needs to increase serial production of the systems, orders for which have exceeded USD3 billion.
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