The PASARS-16 () is a Serbian mobile hybrid short-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system. Its missions include the protection of infantry, armoured mechanized and artillery units from low flying aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other projectiles. Based on the FAP 2026BS/AV six-wheel drive general purpose off-road military chassis, the armoured rotary turret mounted at the rear of the vehicle is armed with a single barrel Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun and one or more surface-to-air missiles, linked to either RPS-42 or modernized M85 Žirafa radars.
The PASARS-16 was designed by the Military Technical Institute. Serial production commenced in 2019, with its armoured turret being constructed by Zastava TERVO, hydraulics and armaments integration being carried out by FAP and PPT Namenska, and final assembly completed by Srboauto.
Gun
The PASARS-16's main armament is the Bofors L/70 40 mm anti-aircraft autocannon, which was designed in the 1930s by the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors and which the Serbian arms manufacturer Zastava Arms acquired a license to produce in the 1970s. The autocannon's ammunition is produced by the Serbian defence manufacturer Sloboda. In 2020, a new programmable airburst ammunition containing 1,100 tungsten pellets was developed. The system has been spotted with a laser rangefinder and a day/night sighting system. LengthBarrel lengthWidthHeightLShellComplete round: 40×365mmRStandard Shell weightCaliber40 mm L/70 Barrels1Carriageabout 500 kg Elevation−4°/+90°Rate of fire240-330 round/minMuzzle velocityMaximum firing range
Missiles Mistral French Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles have been integrated onto the PASARS-16.
RLN-1C and RLN-1C/170
The PASARS-16 uses RLN-1C missiles i.e. modified Vympel K-13 (R-13M) short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile. Modifications by the Military Technical Institute were made to improve the rocket's propulsion block, in order to effectively launch the missile from the ground along with integration of a more powerful warhead with a modern proximity fuse and a modernized infrared homing system that directs the missile to the target. Length(R-13M) Wingspan(R-13M) Diameter(R-13M) Launch Weight(R-13M) Speed(R-13M) Mach 2.5Range(RLN-1C) (RLN-1C/170) 12 km maxGuidance(R-13M, RLN-1C, RLN-1C/170) Infrared homingWarhead(R-13M) SB03 blast-fragmentationExplosive Content(R-13M) 5.3 kg of TGAF-5 (40% TNT, 40% RDX, 20% Aluminium powder)Fuze(R-13M) Type 428 proximity fuze
9K38 Igla
Operators Serbia – 5 batteries in service with the Serbian Army.
References
External links
"Giraffe" radar and "PASARS-16" Demonstration Video - Serbian Ministry of Defence (2020) PASARS-16 3P Product Demonstration - Serbian Ministry of Defence (2020)