TULA, September 16. /TASS/. Preliminary trials of the Patsir-M anti-aircraft cannon system have been completed successfully, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Friday.

"We have conducted preliminary tests of the sea-based Pantsir, which demonstrated positive results. Now we are to begin official tests. We hope to begin by the end of this year," he told journalists.

He said the new weapons system will be mounted on various types of warships, "from small-sized missile ships to big patrol vessels."

According to earlier reports, it is planned to begin tests of the sea-based Pantsir system onboard a ship at the end of 2016.

The Pantsir-M is designed to supersede the Kortik system.