Profile
- Type
- Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Origin
- Russia
- Service note
- Entered Russian service in the late 2000s; used during the full-scale Russia-Ukraine War
Air Defense
Buk-M2
The Buk-M2 is a Russian tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system in the Buk family, using the 9M317 missile and networked radars to defend maneuver forces and key areas against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision weapons, and some ballistic targets. In the Russia-Ukraine War it appears on the Russian side as part of layered battlefield air defense, where Ukrainian forces have targeted its launchers and associated radar vehicles.
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Built by
- Almaz-Antey
- Built in
- Russia
Service History
- In service
- Russian service from the late 2000s; documented Russian use and losses in Ukraine
- Used by
- Russian Armed Forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- V. V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP)
- Designed
- Late 1980s development; export Buk-M2E publicly shown at MAKS-2007
- Built by
- Almaz-Antey
- Built in
- Russia
- Produced
- 2000s-present
- Variants
- 9K317 Buk-M2, 9K317E Buk-M2E export variant
Specifications
- Missile
- 9M317 family surface-to-air missile
- Launcher
- 9A317 TELAR with four ready-to-launch missiles
- Engagement range
- 3-40 km against aircraft at 830 m/s target speed; up to 45 km against slower aircraft in Buk-M2E published data
- Engagement altitude
- 0.015-25 km in Buk-M2E published data
- Simultaneous targets
- Up to 24 air targets for a fully equipped system
- Ballistic missile engagement
- Up to 20 km maximum engagement range for tactical ballistic missiles
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Russia
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.
Buk-M2 Images
Related Weapon Systems
Flakpanzer GepardSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gunThe Flakpanzer Gepard is a tracked German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built around twin 35 mm automatic cannons and onboard search and tracking radars. In Ukraine it fills a short-range air defense role, pairing Leopard 1 mobility with gun-based engagement of low-flying aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and drones.
S-300Long-range surface-to-air missile systemThe S-300 is a Soviet-designed long-range surface-to-air missile family used by Ukraine for area air defense during the Russia-Ukraine War. Its mobile launchers, radars, and command elements give Ukrainian forces a legacy but still important way to contest aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and some ballistic-missile threats while newer Western systems enter service.
Tor-M2Short-range surface-to-air missile systemThe Tor-M2 is a Russian short-range, self-propelled surface-to-air missile system built to protect maneuver forces and fixed sites from aircraft, helicopters, drones, guided missiles, and other precision weapons. In the Russia-Ukraine War it appears in Russian service as a tracked tactical air-defense vehicle, with visually documented battlefield losses showing its use close enough to the front to be targeted by Ukrainian forces.
IRIS-T SLMMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemA German air defense system supplied to protect Ukrainian population centers and infrastructure. It is designed for high accuracy against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
MIM-104 PatriotLong-range surface-to-air missile systemA high-end air defense system used by Ukraine against Russian air and missile attacks and by U.S. forces defending Al Udeid Air Base from Iranian ballistic missiles.
NASAMSMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemA distributed air defense system using AMRAAM-family missiles. Its networked launchers and sensors make it valuable for defending urban areas and infrastructure.Sources
Buk-M2EPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export-system page used for published engagement range, altitude, simultaneous-target, and tactical-ballistic-missile figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Buk-M2EPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports manufacturer, design background, system role, TELAR loadout, and relationship between Buk-M2 and the Buk-M2E export variant. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Ukrainian troops destroyed a Russian Buk missile launcherPublisher: Militarnyi | Note: Documents Russian Buk-M2 launchers in the Russia-Ukraine War, including a HIMARS strike on a Russian Buk-M2 and a 9A317 TELAR reported destroyed near Robotyne. | Accessed: 2026-06-19File:Buk-M2-MAKS-2007-2.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing for the primary Buk-M2 photograph from MAKS 2007. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Category:9K317E Buk-M2EPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image category used for additional gallery media and reuse-license context. | Accessed: 2026-06-19