TASS: Ukrainian Buk and Osa missile systems are being finalized by NATO specialists

A source in law enforcement agencies told reporters that the Buk and Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) modified by NATO specialists pose the greatest danger to Russian front-line aviation in the North-Eastern Military District.

As the specialist explained, the target acquisition of such complexes is carried out not with the help of a radar station, but with the help of optics.

The radar system of the air defense system irradiates the target, then aircraft and helicopters equipped with radiation warning stations can perform anti-missile maneuvers and detect complexes firing at them, the agency’s interlocutor explained the scheme.

He added that optical target detection systems are passive systems, they do not detect air defense systems and increase the chances of hitting air targets.

There has been no official information about this.

“Wasp” (according to the classification of the US Department of Defense and NATO: SA-8 Gecko (“Gecko”)) is a Soviet automated military anti-aircraft missile system. The complex is all-weather and is designed to cover the forces and means of a motorized rifle (tank) division in all types of combat operations.

Development began on October 27, 1960, and entered service on October 4, 1971. The complex is equipped with four 9M33 anti-aircraft guided missiles, the Osa-AK modification has 6 9M33M2 missiles, and the Osa-AKM modification has 6 9M33M3 missiles. At the end of 2007, it is the most numerous military air defense system in Russia. More than 400 vehicles are in service with the Russian Federation. It has many different analogues abroad.

There are more modern missile systems such as Tor-M1 / 2, Pantsir-S1 / 2, MANPADS “Verba”, promising “Sosna”, capable of more effectively performing the tasks of the Osa-AKM.

Wasp, unlike them, has difficulty intercepting targets with low EPR (UAVs, cruise missiles, stealth aircraft, helicopters).

During the Yugoslav War, the Osa air defense system intercepted Tomahawk missiles flying at altitudes of 20-100 meters. Target engagement zone in height – from 10 to 5000 m, in range – from 1.5 to 10.3 km (for Osa-AKM).