The Syrian "Squares" received modern thermal imaging cameras

The Syrian army continues to operate the Kvadrat anti-aircraft missile systems (NATO designation SA-6 Gainful), which are an export version of the Kub systems. The army of a friendly country began to receive them from the Soviet Union in the early 70s, almost immediately after the appearance of this modification.

Such SAMs can destroy enemy planes and helicopters at a distance of up to 22,000 meters. At the same time, the targets can fly at altitudes up to 7000 meters with a maximum speed of up to 600 meters per second.

The mass of the guided missile is 630 kg, including the warhead-57 kg. Three missiles are placed on one mobile launcher.

During the October 1973 war, more than 60 Israeli A-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom II aircraft were destroyed with the help of such weapons.

According to various sources, almost five dozen batteries of air defense systems have been delivered in total.

By the beginning of the civil war, "Squares" continued to be actively used in the military. Currently, some of them have been modernized. Thus, modern thermal imaging cameras appeared on the self-propelled reconnaissance and guidance installations 1S91 used in the complexes. They allow you to detect the enemy without unmasking yourself, and thereby avoid being hit by enemy air defense suppression means.

Judging by the published video materials, the SA-6 is used in conjunction with the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, which control the airspace at ultra-low altitudes.

Currently, the Syrian military also has modern models, including the Buk-M2E ,which recently successfully repelled a rocket attack by the Israeli Air Force.

Alexey Moiseev