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Missile Test of Buk-MB2 System by Belarusian Military Near Ukrainian Border.
On December 10, 2024, the Belarusian military conducted tests of a new missile for its Buk-MB2 air defense system near the Ukrainian border. According to the monitoring group Belaruski Gayun, the tests took place in the Olmanskoye swamp area, involving the launch of the 9M318 anti-aircraft guided missile. This area lies within a newly established air restriction zone in southern Belarus, effective until December 20, 2024, which prohibits all aircraft from flying at altitudes less than 20 kilometers from the ground.
The Buk-MB2 is guided by a phased-array radar system, operating with semi-active terminal guidance, and mid-course trajectory correction through a radio datalink, ensuring high precision in interception. (Picture source: Belarussian MoD)
The tests were carried out at the site of the former 41st aviation training ground, a location used for bombing exercises since the 1960s. Similar missile tests took place in this same area in February 2022 during the "Allied Resolve" exercise between Belarus and Russia, during which the Belarusian military launched two missiles from the Tochka-U missile system as part of a broader military drill.
The area, known as Poliskiy, is designated for annual combat training activities, as well as missile and aircraft testing, with the Ministry of Defense and various military-industrial organizations in Belarus granted free use of the site each year from December 1 to February 28. The recent 9M318 missile tests played a significant role in the air alert declared in northern Ukraine on December 10.
The 9M318 missile is designed to intercept high-speed, maneuvering aerial targets such as drones, tactical missiles, helicopters, and ground targets, making it a versatile addition to the Buk-MB2 defense system. The monitoring group indicated that testing activities could continue in the restricted zone in the coming days, given that the restrictions remain in effect until December 20.
The Buk-MB2 is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept various types of airborne threats at distances ranging from 2,500 to 50,000 meters. The system uses missiles such as the 9M317, 9M317E, 9M38, or 9M38M1, each 5.5 meters long and weighing around 710 kg. These missiles are equipped with a 50 to 70 kg warhead, consisting of high-explosive material and fragments, with a proximity radar or contact fuse, enabling precise strikes on moving aerial targets.
The Buk-MB2 is guided by a phased-array radar system, operating with semi-active terminal guidance, and mid-course trajectory correction through a radio datalink, ensuring high precision in interception. This radar system is integrated into a launch vehicle measuring 8 meters in length, 3.3 meters in width, and 3.8 meters in height, making the entire system relatively compact while still allowing for rapid deployment on the battlefield. The vehicle, operated by a crew of four, also contains the phased-array radar responsible for detecting, tracking, and engaging high-speed aerial targets, such as aircraft, helicopters, or cruise missiles.
This system is used by countries like Russia and Kazakhstan, benefiting from its ability to protect large areas against airborne attacks at various altitudes. Its effectiveness in air defense missions is enhanced by the combination of its range capabilities, the power of its radars, and the ability of its missiles to target multiple threats with great accuracy.
Following the missile tests, air alerts were issued in the Kyiv region and several other regions of Ukraine. This event underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the possibility of further missile tests and defense developments in the coming days.