Russia unveils Viking export version of Buk-M3 air defense missile system.

Russia’ manufacturer of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems Almaz-Antey has detailed its newest Viking SAM system that is an export-oriented variant of the Buk-M3. The new SAM system can be mounted on both wheeled and tracked vehicles and integrated with other Russian-made air defence assets, such as the Buk-M2E medium-range and Tor-M2E short-range air defense systems.

Buk-M3 Viking medium range air defense system at Army-2018, International Military Technical Forum near Moscow, August 2018. (Picture source Army Recognition)

According to the company, the 9K317E Viking SAM system is designed to engage cruise missiles, frontline and strategic aircraft, high-precision weapons, stealth targets, rotary-wing platforms (including hovering ones), and radio-emitting surface and ground targets in electronically contested areas. In the baseline configuration, the Viking comprises a 9S510ME command and control post, target detection system, six 9S36ME radars, six 9A317ME transport-erector launchers (TELs), 12 9A316 self-propelled launchers, and 9M317ME SAMs.

The 9K317E SAM system can engage combat aircraft at a distance of 60 km, helicopters - 60 km, stealth aircraft - 40 km, tactical ballistic missiles - 25 km, cruise missiles - 20 km, ground and surface radio-emitting targets - 15 km, and hovering helicopters - 12 km. The Viking can simultaneously engage up to 36 targets.

The 9A317ME TEL is armed with six SAMs, while the 9A316ME self-propelled launchers carries 12 missiles. The whole SAM system has a reaction time of no more than 10-12 seconds and a combat readiness time of 5-10 minutes. "The Viking destroys attacking high-precision weapons with a probability of no less than 70-80%," a source from the Russian defense industry said. The Viking’s target engagement area exceeds that of the Buk-M2E twofold.

According to the source, the Viking can integrate launchers with long-range missiles. "The 9K317E SAM system can be reinforced with the 9A83ME self-propelled launcher with the 9M83ME long-range SAMs in order to increase the combat effectiveness of the Viking," he said.