The Buk-M2 is a Russian tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system in the Buk family, using 9M317-family missiles and networked radar vehicles to defend maneuver forces and fixed sites against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision weapons, and some ballistic targets. Conflict records tie Buk-M2/Buk-M2E systems to Russian battlefield air defense in Ukraine, Syrian government air-defense engagements, the April 2018 Syria strike response, and Venezuelan air-defense losses during the 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict.
Russian forces have fielded Buk-M2 medium-range surface-to-air missile systems in Ukraine; Ukrainian reporting documented destroyed Russian Buk-M2 launchers, including a 9A317 TELAR tied to Russia's 58th Guards Combined Arms Army near Robotyne.
Role detailsSyrian government air-defense forces used Russian-made Buk-M2E/Buk-M2 systems during Israeli missile strikes in 2021, including a reported Buk-M2E engagement against guided missiles fired at Homs province. In the April 2018 U.S., UK, and French strike phase of the same war, a Russian Defence Ministry briefing republished by Deagel said Syrian government air-defense units fired Buk missiles during the response; U.S. officials separately disputed that Syrian air defenses successfully engaged coalition missiles.
Role detailsVenezuelan Buk-M2E air-defense systems were documented in the 2026 U.S.-Venezuela confrontation: CSIS satellite-imagery analysis identified a destroyed Buk-M2E at Maiquetia airport after Operation Absolute Resolve, and later reporting described additional Buk-M2E wreckage after the U.S. strike campaign.
The Buk-M2 family is documented with 9M317-family missiles, with 9M317E appearing as the export Buk-M2E missile designation.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Surface-to-air missile | Army Technology says the Buk-M2E system uses 9M317 anti-aircraft-guided missiles, and Missilery.info lists 9M317 missiles among the 9K317 Buk-M2 combat assets. Sources: Buk-M2E Air Defence Missile System - Army Technology, 9K317 Buk-M2 - Missilery.info |
| Export surface-to-air missile | Army Recognition identifies the Buk-M2E 9A317E TELAR as carrying four ready-to-launch 9M317E missiles. Sources: Buk-M2E - Army Recognition |
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 |
|---|---|---|
 | Legacy surface-to-air missile | Army Recognition says the Buk-M2E export system retains backward compatibility with 9M38M1 missiles used in earlier Buk models. Sources: Buk-M2E - Army Recognition |
Buk-M2 reporting is easier to read when the system, launcher, missile, and radar elements are separated. Conflict sources often name the launcher or export system rather than every vehicle in a battery.
| Element | Sourced role | Identification note |
|---|---|---|
| 9K317 Buk-M2 | Domestic medium-range surface-to-air missile system using 9M317-family missiles and tracked firing vehicles. | Use this designation for the Russian system family unless a source specifically names the export configuration. |
| 9K317E Buk-M2E | Export system marketed with Buk-M2E engagement data and 9A317E TELARs. | Use this designation for export users such as Syria, Venezuela, and Kazakhstan when the source identifies Buk-M2E. |
| 9A317 / 9A317E TELAR | Self-propelled firing vehicle with four ready missiles, target detection, illumination, and fire-control functions in the Buk-M2E description. | Destroyed-launcher reports may identify a TELAR without proving the full battery composition nearby. |
| 9M317 / 9M317E missiles | Primary missile family for Buk-M2/Buk-M2E, with 9M317E described as the export missile carried by the 9A317E TELAR. | The missile records handle munition-level specifications and compatibility notes. |
| 9M38M1 compatibility | Army Recognition says Buk-M2E retains backward compatibility with older 9M38M1 missiles. | A Buk-M2E launcher identification alone does not prove which compatible missile type was loaded or fired. |
Sources: Buk-M2E Air Defence Missile System - Army Technology; Buk-M2E; Buk-M2E - Army Recognition; 9K317 Buk-M2 - Missilery.info.
Army Technology says the Buk-M2E system design process was completed in 1988 before later production and export activity.
Sources: Buk-M2E Air Defence Missile System - Army Technology
The Buk-M2E export system was publicly shown at MAKS-2007, giving the 9K317E export configuration a visible open-source reference point.
Sources: Buk-M2E Air Defence Missile System - Army Technology, 9K317 Buk-M2 - Missilery.info
Army Technology places Buk-M2 entry into Russian Army service in 2008, while Missilery.info describes serial production context for the 9K317 Buk-M2 complex.
Sources: Buk-M2E Air Defence Missile System - Army Technology, 9K317 Buk-M2 - Missilery.info
TASS reported that Syrian army Buk-M2E systems intercepted guided missiles fired by Israeli aircraft toward Homs province.
Sources: Buk-M2E systems intercept four missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets at Homs province
CSIS satellite-imagery analysis identified a destroyed Buk-M2E at Maiquetia airport after Operation Absolute Resolve, tying the export system to the 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict.
Sources: Imagery in Venezuela Shows a Surgical Strike - CSIS
