Russia will supply the newest Pantsir-S1 air defense systems to the army in 2010, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov announced on Wednesday. Spokeswoman for the Defense Ministry Irina Kovalchuk said Serdyukov inspected several state-owned defense enterprises in the Tula region earlier in the day.

After the working trip, the minister announced that supplies of the Pantsir-S1 air defense system consisting of 12 surface-to-air guided missiles and two 30-millimeter automatic guns "to the army will begin this year," said Kovalchuk.

"Currently, ten such systems are being prepared for participation in the Victory Day parade in Red Square," Kovalchuk was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency.

Created by the Tula Instrument-Making Design Bureau, the Pantsir system aims to protect small-scale national and military strategic targets, and is usually considered as effective when countering high-precision weapons.

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

The Pantsir system has already been supplied to the United Arab Emirates, and several supply contracts are being negotiated on, said the Itar-Tass.