Upgraded Osa systems bolster Ukraine's air defence against Russia
Ukrainians are successfully using anti-aircraft systems 9K33M2 Osa-AKM or their modernized variants Osa-AKM-P1 "Sting", received from Poland, to hunt Russian airplanes, helicopters, or drones. Here's what they can do.
Ukrainians have significant shortages in medium-range anti-aircraft systems like the S-300, Patriot, or SAMP/T, capable of engaging targets over 100 kilometres or intercepting ballistic missiles. However, when it comes to short-range systems, the situation is much better. 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 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.
One of the largest holders was Poland, which also supplied upgraded variants characterized by faster response times and better radar. Additionally, a certain number of 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 that the 9K33 Osa systems were the world's first fully autonomous missile anti-aircraft system designed to protect moving armoured or mechanized units.
The situational awareness of the Osa is provided by a radar with a detection range of up to 30 kilometres and tracking capabilities up to 20 kilometres. To eliminate targets, four missiles are used. In the case of the newest 9M33M3, they allow the interception of targets at distances up to 14.5 kilometres and altitudes of 9 kilometres, whereas for the older 9M33M2 it is 10 kilometres and 5 kilometres, respectively.
The system is mounted on an 18-tonne, six-wheeled chassis capable of crossing water obstacles. The Osa systems are an ideal complement to gun-based anti-aircraft systems like the Gepard.
