New Missile Ready For Buk-M3 Air Defense Systems

Russian-built Buk-M3 medium-range air defense missile system will get a new cutting-edge missile that will further boost the capability of the system.

"The self-propelled system’s transport and firing boxes are designed to hold six missiles. Missiles are more compact but are more precise and capable of flying longer distances. So, it can be called a new unique missile capable of efficiently hitting air targets," Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, the commander of Russia’s air defense troops, told the Russian News Service on Saturday.

The missile system’s capacity will be increased by 1.5 times as it will be able to hold six missiles instead of four.

The Buk-M3 system boasts a new digital computer, high-speed data exchange system and a tele-thermal imaging target designator instead of the tele-optical trackers used in its previous models. A battery of Buk-M3 missiles can track and engage up to 36 targets simultaneously, while its advanced 9R31M missile is capable of knocking down all existing flying objects, including highly maneuverable ones, even during active electronic jamming.

In addition, an advanced man-portable air-defence system (MANPAD) protected from of the newest interfering systems, including laser ones, is being created for Russia's Defence Ministry, TASS reported.

"There has been done the blueprint needed for creation of the state-of-the-art MANPAD which will be supplied (to the army) in a few years and which will be protected from those interfering systems that have been just designed and gone into service in the world's leading countries, including protection from laser interference," Leonov added.