The 9K35 Strela-10 is a Soviet/Russian short-range air defence missile system. It is a simple missile launcher, mounted on a modified MT-LB chassis. The Strela-10 has been in service since 1976, but production of these systems, apparently, as of recently was ongoing. Ukraine, of course, is trying to destroy all of them.
The 9K35 Strela-10 has been in service since 1976. Image credit: Mil.ru via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
The defenders of Ukraine are putting an emphasis on destroying Russian air defense systems. A big portion of this war is being fought by flying tools, such as drones. And they cannot perform their functions well when mobile air defenses are around. For example, the 9K35 Strela-10 is pretty much designed to attack low-flying aerial targets and does that rather well for a weapon of this vintage.
There are several different versions of the 9K35 Strela-10 as it was updated through the years several times. However, usually, the Strela-10 is a 12.3 tonne weapon, capable of reaching speeds of 61.5 km/h. It is tracked, which means that it is pretty good off-road, but it is also amphibious, capable of reaching 6 km/h on water. The Strela-10 has an MT-LB chassis, which was modified to fit 3 crew members and their respective working tools as well as missiles for the launchers.
The Strela-10 is visually aimed, which means that the target needs to be spotted by the eye and not some kind of a radar system. On one hand, this means that its effectiveness depends on the attentiveness of the soldiers a lot, but on the other hand, it makes the Strela-10 quick to react to emerging threats. It is a short-range system, mostly aiming for helicopters, drones, and some cruise missiles.
The Strela-10 missiles are guided through an optical/infrared-guidance system. It is regarded as fairly accurate, as long as its target is flying low and slow.
The Strela-10 might be put in Ukraine to pick out Ukrainian drones straight from the sky, but it is Ukrainian drones that are hunting down and destroying Strela-10 systems.
For example, recently a drone of Ukrainian Special Operations forces found a Strela-10 system, recorded its coordinates, and transferred them to a HIMARS team. One quick hit and the Strela-10 is no more:
The 9K35 Strela-10 systems are stationed in Ukraine to look out for Ukrainian surveillance and reconnaissance drones, helicopters and, possibly, cruise missiles. But their short range and visual target acquisition makes them vulnerable to small drones. On the other hand, they stand no chance against ballistic missiles from HIMARS.
In recent weeks the defenders of Ukraine have significantly reduced the number of Russian air defence systems close to the frontlines. They are aso primary targets, but it seems like in recent days Ukraine resolved to attack them as much as possible. Maybe so that their cruise missiles would have a cleaner path towards their targets.
Written by Povilas M.
Sources: Ukrinform.net, Wikipedia