Russian SAMs get mobility

Russian SAMs get mobility

The Russian KBM Joint Stock Company (High Precision Industries Stand 09-C20, Russian Pavilion) is now marketing overseas its latest Gibka-S mobile air defence system. This is based on the Russian Tigr (4x4) light vehicle, which is already used in large numbers by the Russian Army for a variety of battlefield missions.

There are two elements to the Gibka-S: the 9A332 Combat Vehicle for MANPADS Squad and the 9S937 Reconnaissance and Control Vehicle for MANPADS Platoon Commander.

Mounted on the roof of the 9A332 is a retractable mast with four Verba or Igla-S fire-and-forget surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) in the ready-to-launch position. There are an additional four replacement SAMs carried internally for manual reloading or for being deployed in the normal ground air defence role. The 9A332 has a crew of three consisting of driver and two air defence gunners, so in theory the system could potentially engage three targets at once. One 9S937 can control up to six 9A332 units and this is fitted with a roofmounted radar scanner that can be lowered into the horizontal position when not required.

According to the KBM JSC, the 9S937 can receive information from a higher chain of command at ranges of up to 8km on the move and up to 17km while stationary.

In a typical target engagement, the 9S937 detects the target and then passes this information onto the best positioned 9A332 to carry out the engagement. Target engagement capability depends on the actual SAM, but Russian sources are claiming the Verba can engage targets operating at an altitude from 10m to 3,500m, and with a maximum engagement range of 6,000m.