Self-propelled firing units 9A317M of the Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile systems began to enter the troops with an increased ammunition load — six highly maneuverable medium-range anti-aircraft guided missiles 9M317M/A. Previously, only a year and a half to two years ago, such installations were often equipped with only two transport and launch containers with missiles.
The transition indicates a significant increase in the production rate of 9M317M SAMs at the enterprises of the Dolgoprudny Scientific and Production Enterprise (DNPP), which is part of the Almaz-Antey concern. Increasing the number of ready-to-use missiles on each installation directly increases the stability of the air defense system to intense attacks, including when repelling possible massive strikes using GMLRS rockets from HIMARS, as well as Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
Each Buk-M3 firing unit is equipped with a 9S36M illumination and guidance radar, capable of simultaneously tracking up to six targets. The equipment allows detecting small-sized air targets with an effective reflection area of only 0.1 m² at a distance of up to 50 km. In addition, Buk-M3 batteries can be additionally equipped with a self-propelled telescopic lifting and rotating device 9S838, which expands the radar's ability to intercept low-flying targets — up to 33 km.
