3M8 anti-aircraft guided missile

The 3M8 is the Soviet anti-aircraft guided missile used by the 2K11 Krug / SA-4 Ganef system. Sources describe it as a ramjet-powered missile with solid-fuel booster stages, a large fragmentation warhead, and the long-range surface-to-air role that made Krug a distinctive mobile air-defense system.

3M8 anti-aircraft guided missile, Soviet anti-aircraft guided missile carried and launched by the 2K11 Krug system, Munitions

Image source: 3M8 surface-to-air missile '3M8M3K0215' at the Swabian Farmers and Technology Museum. 23-4-2023 (54810356270).jpg

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: NPO Novator
Type: Soviet anti-aircraft guided missile carried and launched by the 2K11 Krug system
Designer: Lyulev OKB
Designed: Late 1950s
Produced: 1960s-1970s
Variants: 3M8, 3M8M, 3M8M1, 3M8M2, 3M8M3
Developed from: 2K11 Krug / SA-4 Ganef

SAM air defenseramjet

Specifications

Propulsion: Four solid-fuel boosters and a kerosene-powered ramjet sustainer
Warhead: About 150 kg fragmentation warhead
Range: Roughly 45-55 km depending on variant
Length: About 8.5 m
Diameter: About 850 mm

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service with the 2K11 Krug system in the 1960s

Carrier Platform

The 3M8 is documented as the missile carried and launched by the 2K11 Krug system.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

2K11 Krug / SA-4 Ganef

Tracked surface-to-air missile system

The Krug complex is the platform that carried 3M8 missiles on the 2P24 launcher and launched them as part of the system.

Sources: 2K11 Krug (SA-4 Ganef), The Saving Circle: how the world's first self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system was created

3M8 anti-aircraft guided missile Images

3M8 anti-aircraft guided missile, Soviet anti-aircraft guided missile carried and launched by the 2K11 Krug system, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 3M8 surface-to-air missile '3M8M3K0215' at the Swabian Farmers and Technology Museum. 23-4-2023 (54810356270).jpg

3M8 anti-aircraft guided missile, Soviet anti-aircraft guided missile carried and launched by the 2K11 Krug system, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 2P24 Transporter-Erector-Launcher with two 3M8 missiles of 2K1 surface-to-air missile complex «Krug» in Military-historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Left view.jpg

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Sources

The Saving Circle: how the world's first self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system was createdPublisher: VPK.name | Note: Supports 3M8 background and specifications, including the solid-fuel booster start and ramjet sustainer described for the Krug missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 2K11 Krug (SA-4 Ganef)Publisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports 3M8 background, the Krug system relationship, and the launcher-and-missile arrangement used by the complex. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 3M8 surface-to-air missile '3M8M3K0215' at the Swabian Farmers and Technology Museum. 23-4-2023 (54810356270).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a preserved 3M8 missile display. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 2P24 Transporter-Erector-Launcher with two 3M8 missiles of 2K1 surface-to-air missile complex «Krug» in Military-historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Left view.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for 3M8 missiles mounted on a Krug launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-23