Leaked Photos Show Scale Model Of New Buk Air Defense Version

Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.

Photos showing the scale model of an alleged in-development version of the Buk medium-range air defense system were posted to social networks on March 28.

The Buk system was developed by the Soviet Union and later by its successor state, the Russian Federation, to counter all sorts of aerial threats, including fighter jets, attack helicopters, cruise missiles, glide bombs and drones.

In the Russian air defense network, the system fills the gap between long-range air defense systems, like the S-200/300/400, and short-range air defense systems like the Tor and Pantsir.

According to unverified information, the scale model seen in the leaked photos shows an upgraded version of the third generation of the Buk system, the Buk-M3, which entered service with the Russian military in 2016.

While there are similarities between the scale model and the M3 version, like the adoption of the 9M317M anti-aircraft missile, other key components have been completely redesigned. Due to this, it can be assumed that the scale model in fact shows the fourth generation of the Buk systems, which should in theory be codenamed Buk-M4.

The scale model shows a TELAR [transporter erector launcher and radar] vehicle with a much larger fire control radar, which likely indicates an increase in detection range. It also shows that the system was equipped with what appears to be two separate electro-optical tracking systems, instead of just one in previous versions.

Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.

The Buk-M3 has 36 targeting channels and can engage aerial objects with speed of 3,000 meters per second, an altitude range of 0.015–35 kilometers and a distance range of 2.5–70 kilometers using the 9M317M radar-guided missile. The new version should have even better performance.

Buk systems, including older first generation versions, have proven their worth over the last few decades, most recently during the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

The continuous development of the system ensures that the mid-tier of the Russian air defense network will remain highly-effective against all sorts of aerial threats. Newer versions of the system also offer a great option for smaller states with not enough resources to operate long-range air defense systems.

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