9M38M1 surface-to-air missile

Also known as

9M38M1 Buk missile
Buk-M1 missile

The 9M38M1 is a Soviet Buk-family medium-range surface-to-air missile developed by Novator for the Buk-M1 / SA-11 Gadfly system. It uses semi-active radar homing and a 70 kg fragmentation warhead, and later Buk launchers such as the Buk-M2E are documented as remaining compatible with it.

9M38M1 surface-to-air missile, Legacy Buk-family surface-to-air missile retained for backward compatibility., Munitions

Image source: File:9M38M1 9M317.svg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: Novator
Type: Legacy Buk-family surface-to-air missile retained for backward compatibility.
Service note: Soviet-era Buk family missile retained as a legacy compatible round.

SAM air defensemedium-range

Specifications

Guidance: Semi-active radar homing
Length: 5.55 m
Weight: 685-690 kg
Warhead: 70 kg high-explosive fragmentation
Range: About 32-35 km
Seeker: 9E50M1 radar seeker

Compatible Launch Platforms

Army Recognition says the Buk-M2E export system retains backward compatibility with 9M38M1 missiles used in earlier Buk models.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Buk-M2, Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system

Army Recognition says the Buk-M2E export system retains backward compatibility with 9M38M1 missiles used in earlier Buk models.

Sources: Buk-M2E

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Introduced with Buk-M1 and retained in later Buk inventories that still accept the missile.

Media

9M38M1 surface-to-air missile Images

9M38M1 surface-to-air missile, Legacy Buk-family surface-to-air missile retained for backward compatibility., Munitions - view 1 — Source: File:2008 Moscow Victory Day Parade - Buk SAM loader.jpg

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Sources

APA 9K37 BukPublisher: Air Power Australia | Note: Supports the Novator attribution, Buk-family background, and 9M38M1 dimensions, mass, seeker, and range figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 SA-11 Gadfly 9K37 Buk-M1Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the 9M38M1 missile's Buk-M1 family context, semi-active radar homing, 5.55 m length, 690 kg mass, and 70 kg warhead. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Buk-M2EPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the Buk-M2E export system's backward compatibility with 9M38M1 missiles used in earlier Buk models. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:9M38M1 9M317.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing for the 9M38M1 comparison diagram. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:2008 Moscow Victory Day Parade - Buk SAM loader.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing for a Buk-M1 loader photo carrying 9M38M1 missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-27