Buk missile system The Buk missile system ( ; " beech " , ) is a family of self - propelled , medium - range surface - to - air missile systems developed by the former Soviet Union and Russian Federation and designed to engage cruise missile s , smart bombs , fixed - and rotary - wing aircraft , and unmanned aerial vehicle s . The Buk missile system is the successor to the NIIP / Vympel 2K12 Kub ( NATO reporting name SA - 6 " Gainful " ) . The first version of Buk adopted into service carried the GRAU designation 9K37 and was identified in the west with the NATO reporting name " Gadfly " as well as the US Department of Defense designation SA - 11 . Since its initial introduction into service the Buk missile system has been continually upgraded and refined with the latest incarnation carrying the designation 9K317 " Buk - M2 " . Development . Development of the 9K37 " Buk " was started on 17 January 1972 at the request of the Central Committee of the CPSU . The development team comprised many of the same institutions that had been responsible for the development of the previous 2K12 " Kub " ( NATO reporting name " Gainful " , SA - 6 ) . These included the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design ( NIIP ) as the lead designer and the Novator design bureau who were responsible for the development of the missile armament . In addition to the land based missile system a similar system was to be produced for the naval forces , the result being the 3S90 " Uragan " ( ; " hurricane " ) which also carries the SA - N - 7 and " Gadfly " designations . The Buk missile system was designed to surpass the 2K12 Kub in all parameters and its designers including its chief designer Ardalion Rastov visited Egypt in 1971 to see Kub in operation . Both the Kub and Buk used self - propelled launchers developed by Ardalion Rastov . As a result of this visit the developers came to the conclusion that each Buk transporter erector launcher ( TEL ) should have its own fire control radar rather than being reliant on one central radar for the whole system as in Kub . The result of this move from TEL to transporter erector launcher and radar ( TELAR ) was a system able to engage multiple targets from multiple directions at the same time . During development in 1974 it was identified that although the Buk missile system is the successor to the Kub missile system both systems could share some interoperability , the result of this decision was the 9K37 - 1 Buk - 1 system . The advantage of interoperability between Buk TELAR and Kub TEL was an increase in the number of fire control channels and available missiles for each system as well as a faster service entry for Buk system components . The Buk - 1 was adopted into service in 1978 following completion of state trials while the complete Buk missile system was accepted into service in 1980 after state trials took place between 1977 and 1979 . The naval variant of the 9K37 " Buk " , the 3S - 90 " Uragan " was developed by the Altair design bureau under the direction of chief designer G . N . Volgin . The 3S - 90 used the same 9M38 missile as the 9K37 though the launcher and associated guidance radars were exchanged for naval variants . The 9S - 90 system was tested between 1974 – 1976 on the Kashin - class destroyer " Provorny " , and accepted into service in 1983 on the Project 956 Sovremenny - class destroyer s . No sooner than the 9K37 " Buk " had started to enter service than the next phase of its development was put into operation , in 1979 the Central Committee of the CPSU authorised the development of a modernised 9K37 which would become the 9K37M1 Buk - M1 , adopted into service in 1983 . The modernisation improved the performance of the systems radars , kill probability and resistance to electronic countermeasures ( ECM ) . Additionally a non - cooperative threat classification system was installed , allowing targets to be classified without IFF via analysis of return radar signals . The export version of Buk - M1 missile system is known as " Gang " ( ; " Ganges " ) . Another modification to the Buk missile system was started in 1992 with work carried out between 1994 and 1997 to produce the 9K37M1 - 2 Buk - M1 - 2 , which was accepted into service in 1998 . This modification introduced a new missile , the 9M317 which offered improved kinematic performance over the previous 9M38 which could still be used by the Buk - M1 - 2 . Such sharing of the missile type caused a transition to a different GRAU designations – 9K317 which has been used independently for all later systems . The previous 9K37 series name was also preserved for the complex as was the " Buk " name . The new missile as well as a variety of other improvements allowed the system to intercept ballistic missiles and surface targets as well as offering improved performance and engagement envelope against more traditional targets like aircraft and helicopters . The 9K37M1 - 2 Buk - M1 - 2 also received a new NATO reporting name distinguishing it from previous generations of the Buk system , this new reporting name was the SA - 17 Grizzly . The export version of the 9K37M1 - 2 system is called " Ural " ( ) The introduction of the 9K37M1 - 2 system for the land forces also marked the introduction of a new naval variant , the " Ezh " which carries the NATO reporting name SA - N - 7B ' Grizzly ' ( 9M317 missile ) and was exported under the name " Shtil " and carries a NATO reporting name of SA - N - 7C ' Gollum ' ( 9M317E missile ) , according to Jane ' s catalogue . The 9K317 incorporates the 9M317 missile to replace the 9M38 used by the previous system . A further advancement of the system was unveiled as a concept at EURONAVAL 2004 , a vertical launch variant of the 9M317 , the 9M317ME , which is expected to be exported under the name 3S90E " Shtil - 1 " . Jane ' s also reported that in the Russian forces it would have a name of 3S90M " Smerch " ( , English translation : ' tornado ' ) . The Buk - M1 - 2 modernisation was based on a previous far more advanced developmental system referred to as the 9K317 " Buk - M2 " . This modernisation not only featured new missiles but also included a new third generation phased array fire control radar allowing engagement of up to four targets while tracking a further 24 . A new radar system was also developed which carried a fire control radar on a 24 meter extending boom , improving performance against targets flying at low altitude . This new generation of Buk missile systems was stalled due to the poor economic conditions after the fall of the Soviet Union , however the system was recently presented as a static display at 2007 MAKS Airshow . The export version of the Buk - M2 missile system Buk - M2E is also known as Ural ( ; ) . In October 2007 , Russian General Nikolai Frolov , commander of the Ground Forces ' air defense , declared that the Russian Army would receive the brand - new Buk - M3 to replace the Buk - M1 . He stipulated that the M3 would feature advanced electronic components and enter in service in 2009 . Upgraded Buk - M3 TELAR will have a seven rollers tracked chassis and a 6 missiles in a launch tubes . Description . A standard Buk battalion consists of a command vehicle , target acquisition radar ( TAR ) , six transporter erector launcher and radar ( TELAR ) and three transporter erector launcher reloads . A Buk missile battery consists of two TELAR and one TEL vehicle . The battery requires no more than 5 minutes to set up before it is ready for engagement and can be ready for transit again in 5 minutes . The reaction time of the battery from target tracking to missile launch is around 22 seconds . The Buk - M1 - 2 TELAR uses the GM - 569 chassis designed and produced by JSC MMZ ( Mytishchi ) . TELAR superstructure is a turret containing the fire control radar of the TELAR at the front and a launcher with four ready to fire missiles on top . Each TELAR is operated by a crew of 4 and is equipped with CBRN protection . The radar fitted to each TELAR is referred to as the ' Fire Dome ' by NATO , it is a monopulse type radar and can begin tracking at the missile ' s maximum range ( 32 km / 20 mi ) and can track aircraft flying at between 15 , 000 and 22 , 000 m ( 50 , 000 to 72 , 000 ft ) altitudes . It can guide up to three missiles against a single target . The 9K37 system supposedly has much better ECCM characteristics ( i . e . is more resistant to ECM / jamming ) than the 3M9 Kub system that it replaces . While early Buk had a day electro - optical tracking system 9Sh38 ( similar was used for example on Kub , Tor and Osa missile system ) , it ' s current design can be fitted with a combined optical tracking system with a thermal camera and a laser rangefinder for passive tracking of the target . The 9K37 system can also utilise the same 1S91 Straight Flush 25 kW G / H band continuous wave radar as the 3M9 " Kub " system . The 9S35 radar of the original Buk TELAR uses mechanical scan of Cassegrain antenna reflector . Buk - M2 TELAR design used a PESA for tracking and missile guidance . The 9K37 utilises the 9S18 " Tube Arm " or 9S18M1 ( which carries the NATO reporting name " Snow Drift " ) ( ; " dome " ) target acquisition radar in combination with the 9S35 or 9S35M1 " Fire Dome " H / I band tracking and engagement radar which is mounted on each TELAR . The Snow Drift target acquisition radar has a maximum detection range of and can detect an aircraft flying at 100 m ( 330 ft ) from away and even lower flying targets at ranges of around 10 – 20 km ( 6 – 12 mi ) . Snow Drift is mounted on a chassis similar to that of the TELAR , as is the command vehicle . The control post which coordinates communications between the surveillance radar ( s ) and the launchers is able to communicate with up to six TEL s at once . The TEL reload vehicle for the Buk battery resembles the TELAR but instead of a radar they have a crane for loading missiles . They are capable of launching missiles directly but require the cooperation of a Fire Dome - equipped TELAR for missile guidance . A reload vehicle can transfer its missiles to a TELAR in around 13 minutes and can reload itself from stores in around 15 minutes . Also , Buk - M2 featured a new vehicle like TELAR , but with radar on top of a telescopic lift and without the missiles called a target acquisition radar ( TAR ) 9S36 . This vehicle could be used together with two TELs 9A316 to engage up to 4 targets , missile guidance in the forest or hill regions . All vehicles of Buk - M1 ( Buk - M1 - 2 ) missile system uses an Argon - 15A computer as Zaslon radar does ( the first airborne digital computer designed in 1972 by the Soviet Research Institute of Computer Engineering ( NICEVT , currently NII Argon ) and produced at " Kishinev plant of 50 Years of USSR " . The vehicles of Buk - M2 ( Buk - M2E ) missile system uses a slightly upgraded version of Argon - A15K . This processors also used in such military systems as anti - submarine defense " Korshun " and " Sova " , airborne radars for MiG - 31 and MiG - 33 , mobile tactical missile systems " Tochka " , " Oka " and " Volga " . Currently , Argons are upgraded into Baget series of processors by NIIP . 3S90 " Uragan " . The 3S90 " Uragan " ( ; " hurricane " ) is the naval variant of the 9K37 " Buk " and has the NATO reporting name " Gadfly " and US DoD designation SA - N - 7 , it also carries the designation M - 22 . The export version of this system is known as " Shtil " ( ; " still " ) . The 9М38 missiles from the 9K37 " Buk " are also used on the 3S90 " Uragan " . The launch system is different with missiles being loaded vertically onto a single arm trainable launcher , this launcher is replenished from an under - deck magazine with a 24 round capacity , loading takes 12 seconds to accomplish . The Uragan utilises the MR - 750 Top Steer D / E band as a target acquisition radar ( naval analogue of the 9S18 or 9S18M1 ) which has a maximum detection range of depending on the variant . The radar performing the role of the 9S35 the 3R90 Front Dome H / I band tracking and engagement radar with a maximum range of . 3S90 " Ezh " . The modernised version of the 3S90 the 9K37M1 - 2 ( or 9K317E ) " Ezh " which carries the NATO reporting name " Grizzly " or SA - N - 12 and the export designation " Shtil " was developed which uses the new 9M317 missile . This variant was supposed to be installed on Soviet " Ulyanovsk " - class nuclear aircraft carriers , and has been retrofitted to the " Sovremenny " - class destroyers . . In 1997 , India signed a contract for the three Project 1135 . 6 frigates with " Shtil " . Later the decision was made to modernize it with the a new hardware and new missiles , name changed to " Shtil - 1 " . 3S90M " Shtil - 1 " . In 2004 , the first demonstration module of the new 9M317ME missile was presented by Dolgoprudniy Scientific and Production Plant for the upgraded 3S90M " Shtil - 1 " naval missile system ( jointly with ' Altair ' ) . Designed primary for the export purpose , its latest variant used a vertical launch missile which is fired from under - deck silos clustered into groups of twelve , twenty - four or thirty - six . The first Shtil - 1 systems were installed into ships exported to India and China . Old systems Uragan , Ezh and Shtil could be upgraded to Shtil - 1 by replacing the launcher module inside the ship . Missiles . 9М38 and 9М38M1 missile . The 9M38 uses a single - stage X - winged design without any detachable parts ; its exterior design is similar to the American Tartar and Standard surface - to - air missile series , which led to half - serious nickname of " Standardski " . The design had to conform to strict naval dimension limitations , allowing the missile to be adapted for the M - 22 SAM system in the Soviet Navy . Each missile is 5 . 55 m ( 18 feet ) long , weighs 690 kg ( 1521 lb ) and carries a relatively large 70 kg ( 154 lb ) warhead which is triggered by a radar proximity fuze . In the forward compartment of the missile a semi - active homing radar head ( 9E50 , ) , autopilot equipment , power source and a warhead is located . The homing method chosen was proportional navigation . Some elements of the missile were compatible with the Kub ' s 3M9 ; for example , its forward compartment diameter ( 33 cm ) , which was less than the rear compartment diameter . The 9M38 surface - to - air missile utilizes a two - mode solid fuel rocket engine with total burn time of about 15 seconds , the combustion chamber is reinforced by metal . For the purpose of reducing the centering dispersion while in flight the combustion chamber is located close to the center of the missile and includes a longer gas pipe . Rejection of a direct - flow engine type was explained by its instability on a large angle of attack and by a larger air resistance on a passive trajectory section as well as by some technical difficulties . Those difficulties already wrecked the plans to create the missile for Kub . The design of 9M38 ensures its readiness without inspection for at least 10 years of service and is delivered to the army in the 9Ya266 ( 9Я266 ) transport container . It has been suggested that the Novator KS - 172 AAM - L , an extremely long range air - to - air missile and possible anti - satellite weapon , is a derivative of the 9M38 . 9M317 missile . The 9M317 exterior design bears a resemblance to the Vympel R - 37 air - to - air missile . 9M317 missile was developed as a common missile for the Ground Forces PVO ( " Buk - M1 - 2 " ) as well as for ship - based PVO of the Russian Navy ( " Ezh " ) The unified multi - functional missile 9M317 ( export designation 9M317E ) can be used to engage modern and perspective aerodynamic , ballistic , above - water and radio contrast targets with the air defence complexes of land and naval forces . It was designed by OJSC Dolgoprudny Scientific Production Plant ( DNPP ) and passed the full cycle of ground and flight testing on different complexes and weapon systems . Testing included targets analogues of tactical ballistic missile s , strategic cruise missile s , anti - ship missile s , tactical , strategic and army aircraft and helicopters . The maximum engagable target speed was 1200 m / s , the missile could tolerate an acceleration overload of 24G . Missile was first used with Buk - M1 - 2 system of the land forces and the Shtil - 1 system of the naval forces . It may engage the tactical ballistic missiles , strategic and tactical aircraft manoeuvring up to 12G , cruise missiles , fire support helicopters ( including hovering low above the ground ) , remotely controlled aircraft , anti - ship missiles in a heavy anti - radiation environment and radiocontrast targets above water and above the ground . In comparison with 9M38M1 , the 9M317 missile has a larger defeat area , which is up to 45 km of range and 25 km of altitude and of lateral parameter , and a larger target classification . On the outer view 9M317 differs from 9M38M1 by a smaller wing chord . It uses the inertial correction control system with semi - active radar homing , utilizing the proportional navigation ( PN ) targeting method . Semi - active homing radar head of a missile ( 9E420 , ) as well as 9E50M1 for 9M38M1 missile ( 9E50 for 9M38 ) and 1SB4 for Kub missile ( ) was designed by MNII Agate ( Zhukovskiy ) and manufactured by MMZ at Ioshkar - Ola . 9M317M and 9M317A missile projects . Currently , several modernized versions are in development , including the 9M317M , it is export version the 9M317ME and the active radar homing ( ARH ) missile project 9M317A with its export version the 9M317MAE . They were scheduled for completion in two years since May 2007 . The lead developer , NIIP also reported about the 9M317A missile testing within Buk - M1 - 2A " " OKR Vskhod " " ( " Sprout " in English ) program in 2005 . Range is reported as being up to , maximum altitude around 25 km ( 82 , 000 ft ) and maximum target speed around Mach 4 . The weight of the missile has increased slightly to 720 kg ( 1587 lb ) . 9M317ME missile . The weight of the missile is 581 kg , including the 62 kg blast fragmentation warhead initiated by a dual - mode radar proximity fuze . Dimensions of the hull are 5 . 18 m length ; 0 . 36 m maximum diameter . Range is 2 . 5 – 32 km in a 3S90M " Shtil - 1 " naval missile system . Altitude of targets from 15 m up to 15 km ( and from 10 m to 10 km against other missiles ) . The 9M317ME missiles can be fired at 2 second intervals , while its reaction ( readiness ) time is up to 10 s . Missile was designed to be single - staged , semi - active radio command radar homing with inertial guidance . The tail surfaces have a span of 0 . 82m when deployed after the missile leaves the launch container by a spring mechanism . Four gas - control vanes operating in the motor efflux turn the missile towards the required direction of flight . After the turnover manoeuvre they are no longer used and subsequent flight controlled via moving tail surfaces . A dual - mode solid - propellant rocket motor provides the missile with a maximum speed of Mach 4 . 5 . Structure . 9K37M1 - 2 Buk - M1 - 2 ( Ural ) . A command post vehicle 9S470M1 - 2 may take control over 4 batteries , each has 1 TELAR 9A310M1 - 2 with 1 x TEL 9A39M1 / 9A39M1 - 2 or 2 batteries , each has 1 target acquisition radar 9S18М1 - 1 and 2 x TELs 9A39M1 Additionally , the TELAR 9A310M1 - 2 may take control over the Kub vehicles – just the TEL 2P25 or the SURN 1S91 with a TEL 2P25 . 9K317 Buk - M2 . There was an experimental 9А320 TEL ( with 8 missiles ) . Some works were conducted to utilize a wheeled vehicles for Buk - M2 - 1 on a KrAZ - 260 chassis , but they were not completed . Proposed structure of Buk - M2 - 1 was the 9S512 CP , 9S112 - 1 TAR , 9S36 - 1 TAR and 9А318 TEL with 4 missiles . Service . Operational service . In 1996 Finland started operating the eighteen missile systems that they received from Russia as debt payment . According to Suomen Kuvalehti , Finland is planning to accelerate the replacement of the missile system due to concerns about its susceptibility to electronic warfare . Combat service . Abkhaz authorities claimed that Buk air defense system was used to shoot down four Georgian drones at the beginning of May 2008 . Analysts stipulated that Georgian Buk missile systems were responsible for downing four Russian aircraft — three Sukhoi Su - 25 s close air support aircraft and a Tupolev Tu - 22M strategic bomber — in the 2008 South Ossetia war . U . S . officials have said Georgia ' s SA - 11 Buk - 1M was certainly the cause of the Tu - 22M ' s loss and contributed to the losses of the three Su - 25s . According to some analysts , the loss of four aircraft is surprising and a heavy toll for Russia given the small size of Georgia ' s military . Some have also pointed out , that Russian electronic counter - measures systems were apparently unable to jam and suppress enemy SAMs in the conflict and that Russia was , surprisingly , unable to come up with effective countermeasures against missile systems it had designed . Georgia bought these missile systems from Ukraine which had an inquiry to identify if the purchase was illegal . On 29 January 2013 , the Israeli Air Force launched an airstrike on a convoy believed to have SA - 17 BUK - M2E missiles bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon . The Syrian government denied that the shipment of weapons was taking place .