Russian Defense Company Almaz-Antey have unveiled a new Buk-M3 medium-range surface-to-air missile system at the military-technical forum «Army 2016».
In the closed hall, Almaz-Antey carried out the demonstration of Russian developments in the area of air defense missile system. The Buk-M3 medium-range surface-to-air missile system is a modernized version of the Buk-M2 system, features advanced electronic components and a deadly new missile and could be regarded as a completely new system.
The Buk-M3 consists of command vehicle, target acquisition radar vehicle, transport vehicle 9T243M with a technological equipment, two 9A317M Transporter Erector Launcher and Radar with six surface-to-air missile 9M317M and one or two 9A316M Transporter Erector Launcher vehicle with 12 surface-to-air missile 9M317M.
The new type of missile used by the launcher is more compact than the ordnance used by its predecessors, allowing Buk-M3 to carry a payload of six instead of four missiles. At the same time, the new missile outclasses previous models in terms of its technical characteristics: it can destroy any type of airborne target in existence, can be used against naval and ground targets, and is extremely resistant to electronic countermeasures.
According to the Almaz-Antey press service, the new missile “practically two times” surpasses in characteristics the previous models and is unrivalled among the world’s air defense missile systems of its class. “The new missile has a significantly lower weight. This has increased the missile system vehicle’s on-board ammunition capacity 1.5 times. The new system’s missiles are carried in containers and launched from them”, Almaz-Antey said.
The first Buk-M3 divisions are expected to enter service this year as part of the ongoing general rearmament program, and will provide a considerable boost to Russia’s already formidable anti-air capabilities.