Ukrainian forces use upgraded Osa missiles to strike Russian aircraft
6:21 AM EDT, August 12, 2024
Ukrainians are successfully using anti-aircraft systems 9K33M2 Osa-AKM or their modernized variants Osa-AKM-P1 "Sting," received from Poland, to target Russian airplanes, helicopters, and drones. Here's what they can do.
Ukraine has significant shortages in medium-range anti-aircraft systems like the S-300, Patriot, or SAMP/T, which are capable of engaging targets over 62 miles or intercepting ballistic missiles. However, the situation is much better when it comes to short-range systems. Besides the Osa systems, Ukraine has also received systems like Crotale NG, NASAMS, IRIS-T, Aspide 2000, and AN/TWQ-1 Avenger.
These systems were simply more available on the market, and one of the many such systems sent to Ukraine were the 9K33M2 Osa-AKM or Osa-AKM-P1 "Sting" systems provided by Poland. Below, you can see a unit located somewhere in northern Ukraine launching a missile towards a Russian target. It is possible that the Osa was providing cover for Ukrainian forces attacking the Kursk region.
Osa anti-aircraft systems — A mobile air defense shield for ground forces
Even before Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine had a certain number of these systems and achieved a very high interception success rate of around 80 percent, but they quickly ran out of missiles. These were only produced in Russia, and the only sources were Western countries that had them in their inventory.
Poland, one of the largest holders, also supplied upgraded variants characterized by faster response times and better radar. Additionally, several containers with older 9M33M2 missiles from Jordan, which have inferior performance, were sent to Ukraine to enable continued use of the Osa systems.
It's worth noting, as journalist Łukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska wrote, the 9K33 Osa systems were the world's first fully autonomous missile anti-aircraft system designed to protect moving armored or mechanized units.
A radar with a detection range of up to 19 miles and tracking capabilities up to 12 miles provides the Osa with situational awareness. Four missiles are used to eliminate targets. The newest 9M33M3 allows the interception of targets at distances up to 9 miles and altitudes of 5.6 miles, whereas the older 9M33M2 allows for 6 miles and 3 miles, respectively.
The system is mounted on an 18-ton, six-wheeled chassis capable of crossing water obstacles. The Osa systems are an ideal complement to gun-based anti-aircraft systems like the Gepard.
