A number of new developments were unveiled in Ukraine on the occasion of the Defence Industry Workers’ Day (we recently reported on the new AREION missile-drone), and among them, of particular interest is a new surface-to-air missile compatible with the OSA-AKM air defence systems.
The missile, whose designation has not yet been confirmed, features a configuration extremely similar to that of the Soviet 9M33 family, particularly the 9M33M3 variant. The similarities can be observed in several structural elements, including the aerodynamic surfaces in the rear section, the overall geometry of the missile body, and the positioning of the forward wings.
It is not yet clear, however, whether this is a modernized version of the original missile incorporating updated components, nor whether significant improvements in performance or operational capabilities have been introduced.
The OSA-AKM system, it should be recalled, is a Soviet-era self-propelled surface-to-air missile system, which entered service in its AKM variant starting in the 1980s. It was designed to protect moving units and strategic infrastructure from aerial threats such as aircraft and cruise missiles.
In its standard configuration, each launcher is equipped with six 9M33M3 missiles. From a technical standpoint, the 9M33M3 has a total mass of approximately 126 kg, including a warhead weighing about 15 kg. The missile is just over 3 meters long, with a diameter of 206 mm and a wingspan of 650 mm. It can reach a maximum speed of approximately 500 m/s, while its guidance system is command-guided via radio link. The main radar is capable of detecting a target at distances of up to 45 km, while the engagement range lies between 1.5 and 10 km, and between 25 and 5,000 meters in altitude.
During the conflict in Ukraine, OSA systems proved particularly effective, especially between 2022 and 2023, when they were successfully employed against drones and cruise missiles. However, the gradual depletion of missile stocks has reduced their operational availability over time.
To partially address this issue, the non-governmental foundation “Come Back Alive” — which raises funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and works closely with the defence industry — has supported upgrade efforts to the system, enabling the use not only of standard 9M33M3 missiles but also of R-73 air-to-air missiles, which are more readily available in Kyiv’s arsenals.
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