Russia Replenishes 9M333 Missile Reserves for Strela-10M3 Air Defense Systems.

The Russian Ground Forces continue to replenish their reserves of 9M333 anti-aircraft missiles for the Strela-10M3 air defense systems, thanks to the latest delivery by Kalashnikov. This was highlighted in a statement released by the state consortium Rostec on May 24.
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The 9K35M3 Strela-10M3 SAM system during the Military Technical Forum 2017 (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

Although no additional details were provided, Kalashnikov and Rostec emphasized that this new batch of guided anti-aircraft missiles (or ZUR in Russian) corresponds to the order placed for 2024 by the Russian Ministry of Defense. A similar delivery of this type of guided weaponry occurred in October 2023. However, as with the previous occasion, the consortiums did not provide further details other than the delivery report and some technical characteristics of the 9M333.

The 9M333 is a short-range guided anti-aircraft missile currently designed and manufactured by the Russian company Kalashnikov, intended to counter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles operating at low altitudes. It can engage targets at altitudes ranging from 10 to 3,500 meters, with a 2.6-kilogram warhead. Widely used by the Ground Forces, it is currently deployed by various mobile air defense systems such as the Strela-10 and its derivatives.

The high-precision, upgraded 9M333 guided anti-aircraft missile is used in the Strela-10M3 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. This missile defense system can shoot down helicopters and planes, even with the use of thermal decoys, as well as cruise missiles and drones. The missile's guidance head is multispectral and has three operating modes; the missile was initially designed to hit targets under conditions of optical interference. The Ukrainian theater allows for the assessment of the success and effectiveness of these weapons, currently showing an efficiency rate of 80%. The main targets are Su-25 attack aircraft and helicopters of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The 9M333 guided anti-aircraft missile entered production at the end of 2020, with its modernization carried out by the Kalashnikov company starting in 2018. The missile has three operating modes for the seeker head: photo-contrast, infrared, and jamming. The 9M333 missile defense system allows for fire-and-forget shooting. The missile's average speed is 550 m/s, and it can hit targets at a distance of up to 5,000 meters. This is the only data available on this missile for now.

The Strela-10, designated by NATO as SA-13 "Gopher," uses the 9M333 missiles and is a Soviet-origin air defense system still in service with the Russian Ground Forces. Despite various replacement projects over the years, the Strela remains operational, and its use has been reported in the Ukrainian conflict. One of its future replacements is the so-called Ptitselov anti-aircraft system, which uses the 9M337 Sosna-R missile launch system for the Russian airborne forces. One detail noted in the May 24 statement is that the missile deliveries are intended for the "M3" version of the Strela-10. Based on data sources, this variant of the Gopher includes improvements to counter cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Designed to protect troops on the move from low-altitude aircraft, helicopters, precision-guided munitions, and reconnaissance RPVs (Remotely Piloted Vehicles), the system was first introduced into service in the early 1980s. It features combat vehicles 9A34 and 9A35 and uses 9M37 anti-aircraft missiles. The system is mounted on the MT-LB light armored tracked vehicle, which provides excellent cross-country capabilities and amphibious mobility. The SA-13 is equipped with four ready-to-launch missiles on its turret and can carry eight additional reloads inside the vehicle, with reloading taking approximately three minutes.

For self-protection, a 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted at the commander's hatch. The system's armor provides protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The SA-13 is used by various countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, and India, among others. It remains a versatile and effective low-altitude air defense system.