Ukraine strengthens air defenses with Polish modernized S‑125 Neva systems
6:01 PM EDT, July 3, 2024
A photo showing the S-125 Neva anti-aircraft system operation near Odessa has surfaced online. Here, we present the capabilities of this system, which Ukraine received from Poland in an undisclosed number of batteries.
Ukraine has significant shortages in anti-aircraft defense due to the depletion of missile stockpiles for post-Soviet systems and insufficient deliveries of modern systems from the West. Consequently, outdated systems such as the MIM-23 HAWK from the USA and Spain, or the S-125 Neva-SC and S-200 Vega from Poland, are still in use.
Although these older systems are unable to handle challenging targets like ballistic missiles, they remain effective against helicopters, large drones, airplanes, and even strategic bombers like the Tu-22M3 under favorable conditions.
S-125 Neva-SC - an oldie modernized in Poland
The S-125 Neva systems were developed in the 1960s. The Polish SC variant, which stands for self-propelled and digital, was developed in the 1990s. This modernization, undertaken in cooperation with the Military University of Technology and the Military Electronic Works in Zielonka, replaced the analog fire control systems with microprocessor-based systems. This upgrade reduced the system's reaction time and increased its resistance to electronic warfare systems (EWS).
A key part of the modernization also involved enhancing the system's mobility. The missile launcher of the S-125 Neva SC system was mounted on the chassis of a T-55 tank, and the radar was placed on an eight-wheeled MAZ-543 platform.
Other components, such as the radar and missiles, remained unchanged, meaning that even the modified Neva can engage targets at distances up to 16 miles and altitudes up to 11 miles. While limited, this range is better than handheld anti-aircraft systems like the PPZR Piorun, Mistral, or the FIM-92 Stinger, which have a range and maximum target engagement altitude below 6 miles.
The guidance of two missiles simultaneously in the S-125 Neva system is conducted via radio command, and each missile is equipped with a fragmentation warhead weighing 159 pounds, generating 4,500 fragments upon detonation. The missiles feature a two-stage design, with the first stage serving as a rocket booster that falls off a few seconds after launch. Each launcher holds four missiles.
