Focus: Russian Buk-M3 air defense missile system able to Intercept US F-35 and F-22 Stealth Fighters.

According to new information released by the Russian State Defense Company Rosoboronexport on December 3, 2024, the Buk-M3 Viking, NATO code-named SA-27 Gullum, the latest generation of Russia's Buk family of air defense missile systems, is capable of intercepting a wide range of advanced threats. These include stealth aircraft like the F-35 and F-22 Raptor, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, high-precision weapons, and even hovering helicopters.
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The Russian Buk-M3 Viking air defense system can intercept advanced threats, including stealth fighters like the F-35, ballistic missiles, and high-precision weapons, with a range of up to 65 km and an altitude coverage of up to 25 km. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

With these enhanced capabilities, the Buk-M3 Viking represents a significant leap in Russia's air defense technology, offering a robust solution for countering modern aerial threats at extended ranges and various altitudes.

One of the standout features of the Buk-M3 Viking, SA-27 Gullum, is its extended firing range, which allows it to target and intercept various aerial threats. The system can engage air targets at distances of up to 65 kilometers (approximately 40 miles), significantly enhancing its operational footprint. This extended range ensures the Buk-M3 Viking can protect stationary defense positions and mobile and high-value assets, offering multi-layered defense capabilities. Additionally, the system can intercept tactical ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 50 kilometers, providing crucial defense against short-range missile threats aimed at critical infrastructure or military targets.

In terms of altitude coverage, the Buk-M3 Viking can engage targets across a wide vertical spectrum, from as low as 10 meters—perfect for intercepting low-flying cruise missiles, UAVs, or hovering attack helicopters—to altitudes as high as 25 kilometers (approximately 82,000 feet). This means the system can defend against both low-altitude, fast-moving threats as well as high-altitude, slower-moving aircraft like bombers and reconnaissance platforms. The ability to track and intercept targets across such a vast range of altitudes positions the Buk-M3 as an extremely versatile air defense asset.

The Buk-M3 Viking is equipped with an advanced multi-function radar system that can simultaneously track up to 36 targets and guide up to 12 missiles to their respective targets. This enables it to deal with multiple threats in a single engagement, making it highly effective in saturated attack scenarios. The radar system is particularly noteworthy for its ability to detect and track even stealth aircraft—such as the F-35—which are designed to evade detection by conventional radar. The X-band radar incorporated into the Buk-M3 can filter out clutter and pinpoint low radar cross-section (RCS) targets, thus overcoming one of the most challenging aspects of modern air defense: the ability to engage stealth technology. This makes the Buk-M3 a key tool for countering next-generation fighter jets and other radar-evading platforms.

Regarding its missile capabilities, the Buk-M3 Viking uses the upgraded 9M317M missile, which features a more powerful two-stage propulsion system and a radar-homing seeker. This missile can reach high speeds and maneuver to intercept fast-moving targets, such as ballistic missiles and hypersonic threats. The Buk-M3 Viking can launch up to 6 missiles simultaneously, ensuring rapid response to multiple threats from different directions and altitudes. The 9M317M missile's enhanced maneuverability and extended range make it a highly effective solution for intercepting not only traditional aircraft but also modern precision-guided munitions.

The Buk-M3 Viking also stands out for its ability to engage stealth targets, including the F-35, which poses a significant challenge to many traditional air defense systems. The radar and guidance systems of the Buk-M3 are specifically designed to detect and neutralize stealth aircraft, providing a significant advantage over earlier Buk models. This capability positions the Buk-M3 as a critical asset for countering air superiority platforms equipped with advanced low radar cross-section technology.

The Buk-M3 Viking’s flexibility extends beyond aerial threats, as it is also capable of targeting high-precision weapons, such as guided bombs, air-to-ground missiles, and other advanced ordnance used by modern fighter jets and bombers. This versatility makes it an essential part of a broader air defense network, capable of defending against a wide array of air and missile threats, from low-level attack helicopters to high-altitude strategic bombers.

Regarding mobility and deployment, the Buk-M3 Viking uses a tracked chassis that provides exceptional mobility in challenging terrains, allowing the system to reposition as required quickly. This mobility is crucial in dynamic combat environments, where rapid redeployment can make the difference between effective interception and failure. The system’s mobile transport erector launchers (TELs) can carry up to 12 missiles—a significant increase from earlier models—and launch them simultaneously, providing rapid response capability. The Buk-M3 Viking’s ability to move and respond quickly makes it a highly survivable and flexible air defense solution, particularly in fluid battlefields or high-intensity conflict zones.

Furthermore, the Buk-M3 Viking integrates seamlessly into Russia’s air defense network, enabling it to operate in coordination with other missile defense systems like the S-400 and S-500. This allows for a multi-layered, integrated defense system capable of responding to multiple types of threats across different ranges and altitudes. Its command and control systems allow for real-time data exchange with higher-level defense platforms, ensuring that the Buk-M3 Viking operates as part of a larger, coordinated air defense effort.

In conclusion, the Buk-M3 Viking is a highly advanced, multi-role air defense system that enhances Russia's ability to protect its territory and military assets from a wide array of modern and emerging threats. Its long-range, high-altitude capability, advanced radar and missile guidance systems, and ability to engage stealth aircraft and high-precision weapons make it a formidable force in modern air defense. The Buk-M3 Viking represents a critical element of Russia’s strategy to maintain air superiority and counter advanced aerial threats on the battlefield.