Air Defense

9K31 Strela-1

The 9K31 Strela-1, NATO reporting name SA-9 Gaskin, is a Soviet BRDM-2-based short-range surface-to-air missile system armed with 9M31 infrared-guided missiles. In the Yemen Civil War it is documented in Houthi-aligned air-defense holdings as equipment inherited from pre-war Yemeni Army stocks, a conservative indication of point air-defense capacity rather than a sourced claim for a specific engagement.

Yemen Civil WarHouthi-aligned forces
Conflict side
Houthi-aligned forces
Built by
Soviet state factories; design by Nudelman OKB-16
Built in
Soviet Union
9K31 Strela-1, Vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Service History

In service
Entered Soviet service in 1968; exported widely and retained in limited service
Used by
Houthi-aligned forces, Yemeni Army
Wars
Yemen Civil War

Specifications

Crew
3
Armament
Four ready-to-fire 9M31 or 9M31M infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles
Chassis
BRDM-2 4x4 amphibious armored vehicle
Engagement range
About 4.2 km effective range for 9M31 according to common reference data
Engagement altitude
Up to about 3 km
Weight
About 7.0 metric tons combat loaded
Mobility
Up to 100 km/h on road and amphibious water operation
Protection
Light steel armor against small-arms fire and shell splinters

Conflict Usage

Yemen Civil War
Side: Houthi-aligned forcesRole: Short-range point air defense from inherited Yemeni stocksair defense

Documented in a Houthi missile and air-defense inventory as Strela-1 systems inherited from pre-war Yemeni Army stocks, giving Houthi-aligned forces a short-range vehicle-mounted SAM capability during the Yemen Civil War.

9K31 Strela-1 Images

9K31 Strela-1, Vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 19K31 Strela-1, Vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 29K31 Strela-1, Vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 39K31 Strela-1, Vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 4

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Sources

9K31 Strela-1Publisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports general background, BRDM-2 launcher configuration, and current reference identification for the 9K31 Strela-1. | Accessed: 2026-06-209K31 Strela-1Publisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports technical specifications, Soviet origin, Nudelman OKB-16 development background, service entry, chassis, range, altitude, crew, and mobility data. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Houthi Drone And Missile HandbookPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War conflict use: Strela-1 systems were fielded by Houthi-aligned forces as inherited pre-war Yemeni Army stocks in the Houthi SAM inventory. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Handbook Of Pre-War Yemeni Fighting VehiclesPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War context for pre-war Yemeni Army equipment available to Yemeni battlefield parties after the 2014-2015 Houthi takeover. | Accessed: 2026-06-20SA-9 Gaskin 9K31 Strela-1Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports background and specifications for the SA-9 Gaskin / 9K31 Strela-1, including BRDM-2 mounting and short-range low-altitude air-defense role. | Accessed: 2026-06-20SA-9 Gaskin TEL Hatzerim ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports primary image provenance for a 9K31 Strela-1 / SA-9 Gaskin vehicle at the Israeli Air Force Museum with reusable Commons licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Polish BRDM-2 With AA Missiles ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for a Polish 9K31 Strela-1 view published from a 1975 reference scan and marked public domain on Commons. | Accessed: 2026-06-209M31 Strela-1 Missile ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for a 9M31 missile associated with the Strela-1 system under CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-20SA-9 Gaskin Recognition PlatePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for a U.S. Army public-domain SA-9 Gaskin recognition plate. | Accessed: 2026-06-20