9M31 Strela-1

The 9M31 Strela-1 is the original infrared-guided missile carried by the Soviet 9K31 Strela-1 short-range air-defense system. Source material ties the round to Nudelman OKB-16 development work and serial production at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant, with a 30 kg solid-fuel airframe, photocontrast infrared homing, a 3 kg fragmentation high-explosive warhead, and about 4.2 km effective range in the original 9M31 configuration.

9M31 Strela-1, Infrared-guided surface-to-air missile used by the 9K31 Strela-1 system, Munitions

Image source: 9M31 Strela-1 Missile Image

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: Kovrov Mechanical Plant
Type: Infrared-guided surface-to-air missile used by the 9K31 Strela-1 system
Designer: Nudelman OKB-16 design bureau
Designed: 1960-1968
Produced: 1966-1968
Variants: 9M31, 9M31M

SAM air defense

Specifications

Mass: 30 kg
Length: 1.803 m
Diameter: 120 mm
Warhead: 3 kg fragmentation high-explosive warhead
Propulsion: Single-stage solid-fuel rocket motor
Guidance: Photocontrast infrared homing seeker
Range: About 4,200 m for the original 9M31

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service with the 9K31 Strela-1 in 1968 and remained in limited use through the later 9M31M upgrade

Launcher Compatibility

The 9M31 was carried by the 9K31 Strela-1 launcher family.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Vehicle-mounted short-range SAM system

The launcher turret carries four ready-to-fire 9M31 missiles.

Sources: ODIN 9K31 Strela-1

9M31 Strela-1 Images

9M31 Strela-1, Infrared-guided surface-to-air missile used by the 9K31 Strela-1 system, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 9M31 Strela-1 Missile Image

9M31 Strela-1, Infrared-guided surface-to-air missile used by the 9K31 Strela-1 system, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 9K31 Strela-1 Launcher Image

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Sources

ODIN 9K31 Strela-1Publisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports the 9M31 missile's relationship to the 9K31 Strela-1 launcher and the launcher's four-round ready load. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Missilery.info Arrow-1Publisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports 9M31 design-bureau background, serial production at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant, and the missile's guidance, dimensions, warhead, propulsion, and range data. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 9K31 Strela-1 Missile SectionPublisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports the 9M31 missile's mass, dimensions, warhead, propulsion, guidance, and effective range as described in the missile section of the Strela-1 page. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 9M31 Strela-1 Missile ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the missile image and its Commons licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 9K31 Strela-1 Launcher ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for a 9K31 Strela-1 launcher view with Commons licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23