Analysis | How reconnaissance drones turned the outdated Strela-10 air defense system into a key asset in Ukraine.

As reported by WeaponsRusq on March 7, 2025, the 50-year-old Strela-10 short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system is still used to protect Russian military units, personnel concentrations, artillery, and equipment from Ukrainian reconnaissance UAVs and cruise missiles. A Russian-operated Strela-10 reportedly shot down a Ukrainian Furia reconnaissance drone, and operators have expressed their intent to intercept another UAV, the Backfire, which has not yet entered their engagement zone. Russian forces emphasize that eliminating drones prevents Ukrainian forces from gathering intelligence and directing artillery fire, while its tracked chassis allows them to avoid counter-battery fire.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Strela-10 air defense system, compatible with both 9M37 and 9M333 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), is still used in Ukraine to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

Ukrainian forces also deploy the Strela-10 to counter Russian aerial reconnaissance. The system has been used to intercept Russian UAVs, including the Orlan-10, which is widely employed for battlefield surveillance. In August 2014, Ukrainian troops reportedly shot down an Orlan-10 using a Strela-10 system. Ukrainian units continue to operate the system in combat zones, and its deployment has been documented in frontline engagements against Russian forces.

Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have extensively employed reconnaissance drones to provide real-time intelligence, enhancing artillery targeting and troop movements, thereby diminishing the element of surprise and complicating traditional combat strategies. The widespread use of small, tactical-level drones has led to heightened situational awareness, making covert operations and troop concentrations more challenging. This extensive drone deployment has contributed to the positional nature of the war, as both sides struggle to gain a decisive advantage. Additionally, the constant presence of drones has increased psychological stress among soldiers, who must remain vigilant against aerial observation and potential attacks.

However, the Strela-10 encounters several operational challenges in Ukraine. The high cost of surface-to-air missile (SAM) missiles compared to relatively inexpensive reconnaissance drones presents a logistical issue, as frequent engagements rapidly deplete missile stockpiles. Additionally, some UAVs employ electronic countermeasures and evasive maneuvers that reduce the effectiveness of the Strela-10’s targeting systems. Russian forces have attempted to enhance the system’s survivability by equipping it with a protective lattice structure, or "grill," designed to shield the vehicle from kamikaze drone attacks. Despite these improvements, alternative counter-drone measures, such as electronic warfare and interceptor drones, continue to be explored.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have taken measures to reduce the vulnerability of the Strela-10. Ukrainian forces have deployed decoys that replicate the system’s visual and radar signature. These mock-ups, constructed from metal frames covered with printed cloth, can be assembled in 10–15 minutes and are designed to mislead enemy reconnaissance, diverting attacks from operational Strela-10 units. Anyway, Ukrainian naval forces have used unmanned sea drones to transport FPV (first-person view) aerial drones into Russian-controlled areas, where they have successfully targeted Strela-10 and Osa-AKM air defense systems, an incident which shows that this system remains a priority objective for both sides.

In Ukraine, the high cost of surface-to-air missile (SAM) missiles compared to relatively inexpensive reconnaissance drones presents a logistical issue for the Strela-10, as frequent engagements rapidly deplete missile stockpiles. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The Strela-10 was developed in the 1970s as a successor to the Strela-1, utilizing the MT-LB tracked chassis to enhance mobility and amphibious capability. Designed for rapid deployment, it was initially equipped with optical tracking and infrared-guided missiles. Over the decades, the system has undergone multiple upgrades, including the Strela-10M, M2, M3, and M4 variants, which feature enhanced sensors and targeting capabilities. The Strela-10 has been used in multiple conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Syrian Civil War, and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, where Armenian-operated units were destroyed by Azerbaijani Bayraktar TB2 drones.

The Strela-10 system is equipped with short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The 9M37 missile, introduced with the original 9K35 Strela-10, measures 2,190 mm in length, has a diameter of 120 mm, and a mass of 40 kg. It features a dual-mode guidance system, incorporating infrared (IR) homing and photocontrast tracking. The 9M37 is capable of engaging targets within a range of 800 to 5,000 meters and at altitudes between 25 and 3,500 meters. It is designed to intercept targets moving at speeds of up to 415 m/s on an approaching course and 310 m/s on a receding course. The missile is armed with a 3 kg fragmentation warhead, triggered by contact and proximity fuzes. Variants such as the 9M37M and 9M37MD introduced modifications to the autopilot and seeker system to improve engagement performance under various conditions.

A major upgrade came with the 9M333 missile, which significantly enhanced the Strela-10’s capabilities, as it introduced a triple-mode seeker featuring infrared, photocontrast, and an active jamming-resistant channel, making it more resistant to countermeasures such as flares or electronic warfare. This missile is 2,230 mm long, weighs 42 kg, and features a 5 kg warhead, an increase from the 3 kg warhead of the 9M37 series. The 9M333 maintains the same engagement range of 800 to 5,000 meters and altitude coverage of 10 to 3,500 meters, while introducing an eight-ray laser proximity fuze to enhance its capability against small, fast-moving aerial targets. The propulsion system allows the missile to reach speeds of up to 550 m/s, maintaining engagement capabilities against a range of aerial threats.

The Strela-10 system is compatible with both 9M37 series missiles and the 9M333, allowing for integration of different missile types based on operational requirements. Additionally, new variants, particularly the Strela-10MN and Strela-10M4, have integrated enhanced thermal imaging systems and automatic target tracking to improve missile effectiveness. These systems retain compatibility with older missiles while optimizing performance against contemporary threats.