Translation of "Arrows": ground anti-aircraft gunners are waiting for reinforcement

The upgraded machine will be especially effective in the fight against enemy drones

Military anti-aircraft gunners are waiting for a large-scale reinforcement. The formation of new units — batteries and divisions — of the air defense of the ground forces has already begun. Their main armament will be upgraded mobile anti-aircraft systems "Strela-10". Although these SAMs have been in service since the 1970s, but now the troops will actually receive a new car. The upgraded Strela will receive new missiles and a sighting system. Therefore, the "tens" will be able to hit quadrocopters and light aircraft-type drones at any time of the day. Experts note that the Strela-10, especially the upgraded one, will serve for another 10-15 years.

Fire, battery

A fundamental decision has already been made to strengthen the air defense of the ground forces, sources in the military department told Izvestia. The formation of new anti-aircraft units equipped with the Strela-10M3 and Strela-10MN anti-aircraft complexes equipped with the 9M333 missile has begun.

According to the interlocutors, we are talking about anti-aircraft missile batteries and divisions. Their task will be the fight against drones — primarily commercial quadrocopters and attack multicopters, as well as small aircraft-type UAVs.

Combat work of the calculation of the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile defense system in the zone of a special military operation

Image Source: Photo: TASS/Andrey Rubtsov

The exact number of newly formed units has not been disclosed. But, according to Izvestia sources, their number should provide reliable cover for combined arms units, both in defense and during the offensive and on the march. This decision was made taking into account the experience of conducting a special military operation. It was the Strela-10 that proved to be the most effective means of combating drones.

Prior to the start of the special military operation, every motorized rifle and tank regiment or brigade had a Strel-10 battery. But in the future it was planned to remove these anti-aircraft systems from service.

The Strela-10, especially the upgraded one, will still serve for 10-15 years, Aytech Bizhev, ex-deputy head of the Air Force for the CIS Joint Air Defense System, told Izvestia.

The launcher of the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system

Image Source: Photo: TASS/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

— There is a huge potential in Strela-10, — he explained. — This complex performs the assigned tasks in the general air defense system. What is on the march — on the offensive, on the defensive — there is no price for it. Can open fire almost immediately.

The expert noted that when developing air defense systems, such characteristics are traditionally laid down so that they exceed the capabilities of any means of attack for 15-20 years.

— When the Americans were hitting Belgrade, the vaunted Stealth aircraft was shot down by the S-125 complex, which was decommissioned in the last years of the Soviet Union. And there are hundreds of examples of the effectiveness of long—developed air defense systems," he recalled.

Against Bayraktar and Fury

Strela-10 is a short—range air defense system that is used to cover ground forces from airplanes, helicopters, and now UAVs on the march and directly in positions, military expert Viktor Murakhovsky told Izvestia.

"Strela is used as an element of military air defense, which can operate in simple conditions at a short range, it is often used against drones," he said. — It works well on UAVs the size of our "Orlan-10" and more. But the drone is different from the drone. She will surely destroy the Bayraktar UAV if it turns out to be in the radius of destruction. According to micro-drones, Strela does not work.

"Arrows" are now fighting in the zone of their own. Izvestia reported the destruction of a Ukrainian Shark drone ("Shark") in the Ugledar area by such an air defense system, which is often used to adjust artillery fire. Anti—aircraft gunners said that they managed to shoot down other enemy aircraft-type UAVs - for example, "Valkyrie" and "Fury".

— Strela received old missiles that had accumulated in warehouses since Soviet times. A new rocket is always a new opportunity that will quickly become clear during its mass use in the SVO, — said Viktor Murakhovsky.

The premiere of the 9M333 anti-aircraft missile took place at the Army Forum in 2020. In October 2021, flight tests of the product were conducted, which were recognized as successful.

The new missile is specifically designed to destroy drones and cruise missiles. It can hit objects flying at a speed of more than 3.5 thousand km/h, at a distance of up to 5 km. At the same time, its effectiveness does not depend on the time of year and weather conditions.

Anti-aircraft guided missile 9M333 SAM "Strela-10" at the arms exhibition of the international military-technical forum "Army-2020" in the military-patriotic park "Patriot"

Image Source: Photo: TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

The ammunition has three modes of operation of the homing head: photo contrast, infrared and interference. The latter helps to hit targets when aircraft use a number of interferences, including thermal ones. These are cartridges with a pyrotechnic charge, which the aircraft shoots into the air. They resemble fireworks in the form of white balls.

Also, the new missiles can shoot down enemy planes and helicopters at low altitudes in conditions of optical interference.

The Strela-10M3 anti-aircraft systems were the first to receive parts of the Airborne Troops. As a chassis for the complex, a tracked conveyor is used, capable of moving through sand, snow, swamps and even swimming through water obstacles.

The SAM is guided by an optoelectronic system. It can work both independently and as part of a battery, receiving all information about the target from the commander's vehicle or other air defense units via radio communication. In this case, the machine becomes invisible to the enemy, which increases its "survivability" in battle.

Strela-10 MN can cover paratroopers, tankers and motorized infantry from air raids during night battles and marches. To do this, she received a thermal imaging system and a target capture and tracking machine. The SAM allows you to fire on the principle of "shot-forgot".

Meanwhile, a replacement is being prepared for Strela. The Russian Sosna anti-aircraft missile system was presented at the Army-2018 International military-technical forum. This SAM is the latest domestic short—range air defense system. It is positioned as a replacement for the Strela-10.

Bogdan Stepovoy

Alexey Ramm