Russian Strela anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) use missiles with self-homing heads to engage aerial targets, mainly enemy drones. This was stated by the SAM operator with the call sign Rodya. His words were quoted by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The Strela SAM system is a simple installation, you visually detect the target and aim. The missile has a self-homing head that captures the target and, when launched, follows it. The complex is mobile: it takes literally 20 seconds to deploy, and you can shoot on the move.
Another Russian Armed Forces serviceman noted that the Strela SAM system was originally intended to destroy aircraft and helicopters, but is now effectively used against enemy UAVs. According to him, this is "precision work", since you need to aim at a small target in the sky.
The Strela crew has a machine gunner who protects the anti-aircraft system from attacks by strike drones. The effective range of the machine gun is longer than that of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, so the Russian military uses this type of weapon against enemy UAVs.
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