9K35 Strela-10 – Russian Short-Range Air Defense Missile System

Описание: The 9K35 Strela-10 is a highly mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile system (SAM) developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s to provide low-altitude air defense for military units, especially ground troops. It is designed to intercept and destroy low-flying aircraft, helicopters, drones, and in some cases cruise missiles.
It is the tracked vehicle-based successor to the man-portable 9K31 Strela-1 (SA-9 "Gaskin") system.
🔧 Key Technical Specifications
Feature Details
Type Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
Vehicle Tracked, MT-LB chassis (high mobility)
Missile Types 9M37, 9M333 (latest), 9M31 (older)
Engagement Range ~ 500 m to 5,000 m
Engagement Altitude ~ 10 m to 3,500 m
Missile Speed ~ Mach 2.0
Number of Missiles 4 ready-to-fire + 4 reloads (on vehicle)
Guidance Infrared homing (passive seeker)
Radar/Optical Tracking Electro-optical (day/night capable)
Crew 3–4 personnel
🛠️ System Components
Tracked Launch Vehicle (MT-LB base)
Equipped with:
-Missile launch rails (usually 4 ready missiles on top)
-Electro-optical sight for target tracking
-Laser rangefinder and passive sensors (some versions)
-Communication system and reload stowage inside
Missiles
-The latest variant, 9M333, features:
-Dual-mode seeker (IR + photocontrast)
-Better resistance to flares and countermeasures
-Higher kill probability against small or maneuvering targets
🎯 Intended Targets
The Strela-10 system is optimized for:
-Low-flying aircraft (jet fighters, ground-attack planes)
-Attack helicopters (e.g., Apache, Ka-52)
-Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
-Some capability against cruise missiles
🧠 Operational Characteristics
-Highly mobile – follows armored/mechanized units in real-time
-Passive targeting – no radar emissions, harder to detect
-Capable of firing while stationary or on the move (slow speed)
-Works in day and night, and under various weather conditions
-Can be deployed in ambush-style air defense setups
⚔️ Combat Use
Widely used during the Cold War by Soviet allies
Actively used by:
-Russia
-Ukraine
-Belarus
-India
-Syria
-Armenia, etc.
⚠️ In the Russia–Ukraine war, Strela-10 systems have been used by both sides for frontline air defense against drones, helicopters, and close air support aircraft.
✅ Strengths
Simple, cost-effective design
Highly mobile (can keep up with tanks and infantry)
Passive IR guidance – no need for radar exposure
Fast reaction time
Later variants like 9M333 provide better ECM resistance