Ukraine's tactical shift: Osa missiles revamped for defense
The Ukrainians, facing the depletion of missile stockpiles for their Soviet-era air defense systems, are now attempting to modify them with substitutes. We delve into what the Ukrainian 9K33 Osa systems are currently employing.
The Russians have been launching missile barrages against Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. While defense against ballistic missiles is extremely challenging, the latter two methods of aerial attack can be countered by a variety of air defense systems.
For many years, Ukraine's key short-range systems were the 9K33 Osa units. Despite receiving missile stockpiles from almost all NATO countries that once had these systems and acquiring them from as unlikely a source as Jordan, they eventually ran out.
Unfortunately, the primary missile manufacturers for the Osa was the USSR and, later, Russia. This situation makes operational launchers with experienced crews essentially ineffective. However, as demonstrated in the photo below (most likely from the summer of 2024), the Ukrainians successfully integrated the Osa with airborne R-73 Vympel missiles. Due to shortfalls in its aviation supplies, Ukraine seems to have a significant quantity of these.
9K33 Osa combined with MiG weaponry
The 9K33 Osa systems, introduced into service in the USSR in 1970, were the world's first fully independent missile systems designed to combat aerial targets to protect armored and motorized units. The command point, radar, and launcher were all located on a single, groundbreaking platform.
The integrated radar could detect objects at distances of up to 19 miles, with targeting possible up to 12 miles. In comparison, engaging targets was possible at distances of up to 9 miles and altitudes of up to 6 miles for the 9M33M3 missiles, or up to about 6 miles and 3 miles for the older 9M33M2. Notably, the Ukrainians report an 80% interception success rate with the 9M33M3 missiles.
Interestingly, the Osa systems are quite amenable to integration with other missiles. This adaptability was demonstrated during one of the MSPO exhibitions, where a Polish Osa was shown with German IRIS-T missiles. As for Ukraine, the chosen weapon is the R-73 Vympel (Vampire) missiles.
These are air-to-air missiles with a range of up to about 19 miles at high altitudes, but at lower altitudes, their range likely decreases to roughly 6 miles due to higher air density. The missile is equipped with a 17-pound fragmentation warhead, and its targeting is achieved using a thermal guidance head (tracking the heat source).
It's important to note that the "vampire Osa" is not Ukraine's first anti-aircraft hybrid. Images have also shown the Buk-M1 system paired with American AIM-7 Sparrow missiles.
