SAM "Buk-M3" in the Special Operations
Self-propelled firing system of the Buk-M3 air defense system in position, May 2022.
In the area of the special operation to protect Donbass, the Russian army deployed a developed layered air defense system. A prominent place in it is occupied by the modern self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system 9K317M Buk-M3. Over the past year and a half, air defense systems of this type have confirmed all the calculated characteristics and demonstrated their ability to effectively combat a variety of air attack weapons available to the enemy.
Combat success
The Buk-M3 air defense systems belong to military air defense and are intended to accompany and protect formations and units on the march, in positions and during combat. In this regard, the complexes and their crews have been in the combat zone from the very beginning of the Special Operation, on duty, searching for and intercepting air targets.
The first reports of the combat successes of the Bukov-M3 began to arrive already at the beginning of the Special Operation. At this stage, the main targets for our air defense systems were enemy aircraft and helicopters - then still quite numerous and actively operating. Anti-aircraft systems of several types, incl. 9K317M, and fighter aviation joint efforts in a few weeks significantly reduced the number of “povitry forces” of the Kyiv regime.
Locator 9S18M3
During the current hostilities, the enemy is actively using unmanned aircraft in the form of aircraft of various classes and types. Light and medium Drones-reconnaissance and/or attack aircraft are included in the target range of the Bukov. Such objects are regularly detected and damaged. Due to the losses of enemy manned aircraft, UAVs have now become the main targets for Russian anti-aircraft missiles.
The 9K317M complex has the ability to work against both aerodynamic and ballistic targets. The anti-missile functions of air defense systems are also used in Special Operations. Thus, starting in the spring of 2022, Buki-M3 repeatedly intercepted Tochka-U tactical missiles. In recent weeks and months, successful defeats of incoming M270/M142 multiple launch rocket systems have been regularly reported.
Despite the serious damage inflicted on enemy forces and assets, the situation in the airspace remains difficult, which affects the intensity of the air defense system’s work. At the same time, crews have the opportunity to accumulate large combat scores. Thus, in April, the Ministry of Defense spoke about the crew of one of the Bukovs, which had been participating in the Special Operation from its very beginning. For more than a year, anti-aircraft gunners destroyed one plane and one helicopter, as well as dozens of missiles of different classes. At the end of August, a similar report showed another Buk crew from the anti-aircraft unit of the Central Military District. During his combat work, he destroyed over 40 targets, including the much-touted Bayraktar TB2 UAV and HIMARS missiles.
Buks of various modifications in position, August 2023.
Latest generation
The 9K317M Buk-M3 self-propelled medium-range air defense system is the latest development option for the Buk family of systems. The complex was developed at NIIP named after. V.V. Tikhomirov (Zhukovsky) from the Almaz-Antey concern.
The goal of the Buk-M3 project was a deep modernization of the existing Buk-M2 air defense system with the replacement of key components and the introduction of a number of new products. In particular, a new guided missile was developed. The result of these improvements and changes should have been the growth of all the main characteristics and indicators of the complex as a whole and its individual means.
The development and testing of the 9K317M product was completed by the mid-3s, after which mass production began. The first Buki-M2016s reached combat units of the ground forces in XNUMX, and soon such deliveries became regular. To date, at least several dozen complexes have been manufactured, with the help of which a number of air defense formations in all military districts have been re-equipped.
Complex operator at work
During testing, the Buk-M3 air defense system confirmed its ability to find and hit a variety of air targets. After entering service, such air defense systems repeatedly participated in various exercises and again demonstrated the required capabilities. Since last year, Buks have been demonstrating their potential in real combat conditions. At the same time, for the first time they are working on real samples of foreign-developed equipment and are showing good results.
Technical features
The Buk-M3 air defense system includes several fixed assets with different functions and tasks. It includes the 9S510M division command post, 9S36M and 9S18M3 radars, 9A317M self-propelled firing system and 9A316M launcher, 9T243M transport-loading vehicle and 9M317M missile. The ground vehicles of the complex are made on unified tracked chassis with high cross-country capability.
The task of the 9S510M command post is to receive and process data from standard air defense missile systems or from third-party means, as well as issue target designation and commands to launchers. The air situation is reviewed using the 9S18M3 radar. Detection and tracking of targets is carried out by the 9S36M station. The range of tracking air objects reaches 70 km, height – up to 35 km. The full complex simultaneously accompanies up to 300 targets and can fire at 36.
The 9A317M self-propelled firing system is equipped with its own control and guidance radar and carries six missiles. Due to the abandonment of the locator, the 9A316M type combat vehicle carries twice the amount of ammunition. In both cases, the launch is carried out after stopping and lifting containers with missiles into an inclined or vertical position.
The 9M317M missile is made in a cylindrical body more than 5 m long with a diameter of 360 mm. Starting weight – approx. 580 kg. The product can be equipped with an active or semi-active radar homing head. A rod warhead weighing more than 60 kg was used. The solid propellant engine accelerates the missile to a speed of 1550 m/s and provides interception at ranges of up to 70 km. The maximum target speed is 3 km/s, the maximum available overload is 24.
Positive result
The Buk-M3 air defense system was created to combat a wide range of air targets. Using standard radar equipment and external target designation, it must detect and also hit aircraft, helicopters, UAVs of various classes, missiles, cruise and ballistic missiles, etc. with the existing missile. Apparently, the range of targets to be hit was determined in accordance with the characteristics of the development of the armies of potential opponents.
In February-March last year, the latest modification of the Buk had the opportunity to show itself in a real military operation and real combat operations. The complexes quickly demonstrated their capabilities and confirmed the calculated potential as a whole.
Subsequently, as hostilities continued and enemy forces and assets changed, the nature of the work and tasks of the air defense system gradually changed. However, the reduction in the number of targets of some classes and the increase in targets of others did not affect the effectiveness of the Bukov-M3 and air defense in general. Troops and covered areas remain protected, while the enemy suffers losses of materiel and cannot effectively conduct reconnaissance or strike.
In general, operating experience within the framework of the Special Operation allows us to give the Buk-M3 complex a high rating. He fully complies with the assigned tasks and successfully completes them. In addition, combat air defense systems provide experience and information collection that will contribute to the further development of this family of complexes.
Information