The 9K333 Verba, NATO reporting name SA-29 Gizmo, is a Russian shoulder-fired very-short-range air-defense system built around the 9M336 missile, 9P333 launch tube, and a passive three-spectral thermal seeker. Designed by KB Mashinostroyeniya for aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles in heavy optical-interference conditions, it has documented Russian service in Syria and Ukraine and can also be used with night sights, Dzhigit support launchers, and Gibka-S mobile short-range air-defense vehicles.
Russian forces field Verba MANPADS in the war; Ukrainian reporting documented captured 9M336 missiles from the system, and 2026 aviation reporting identified a Verba launcher mounted on a Russian Geran-2 one-way attack drone while treating its exact operational use as uncertain.
Role detailsRussian forces deployed Verba MANPADS with their forces in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus in 2017, with reporting describing the system as intended for protection against opposition drones.
Role detailsVerba is a shoulder-fired system, but Russian export and manufacturer sources also describe sighting equipment, support launchers, and mobile vehicles that use Verba launch containers or missiles.
| Element | Function | Documented connection |
|---|---|---|
| 1PN97N / Maugli-2M sight | Night-fighting sight | Rosoboronexport promotion coverage describes the sight as Verba's organic night-vision equipment for round-the-clock target acquisition and engagement. |
| Dzhigit launch unit | Twin-tube support launcher | Rostec describes Dzhigit as a light fixed or vehicle-mountable unit for two Igla or Verba launch tubes, operated by one anti-aircraft gunner. |
| Gibka-S combat vehicle | Vehicle-mounted MANPADS launcher | Rosoboronexport says Gibka-S can fire Igla-S or Verba MANPADS missiles, including on the move, and Rostec describes four Igla-S or Verba launch containers ready to fire with four more MANPADS stowed inside the Tigr-based vehicle. |
Verba records use separate designations for the complete MANPADS, its missile round, launch tube, night-sight fit, and support launcher configurations that can use Verba launch containers.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9K333 complete MANPADS system | Complete shoulder-fired system | ARES coverage identifies 9K333 as the complete Verba system designation, while Rosoboronexport describes the export MANPADS role and engagement envelope. Sources: New Images of 9K333 Verba MANPADS from Russian Trade Show, "Verba" MANPADS |
| 9M336 missile | Surface-to-air missile round | ARES identifies the missile designation and Rosoboronexport describes the missile's target set as aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. Sources: New Images of 9K333 Verba MANPADS from Russian Trade Show, "Verba" MANPADS |
| 9P333 launch tube | Launch tube | ARES trade-show coverage identifies 9P333 as the launch tube associated with the 9K333 Verba system. Sources: New Images of 9K333 Verba MANPADS from Russian Trade Show |
| Verba with 1PN97N / Maugli-2M night sight | Night-fighting sight configuration | Rosoboronexport marketing coverage describes the organic 1PN97N Maugli-2M night sight as the Verba sighting option for round-the-clock target acquisition. Sources: Rosoboronexport Starts Marketing New Verba MANPADS Globally |
| Dzhigit twin-tube support launcher configuration | Twin ready-missile support launcher | Rostec describes Dzhigit as a light fixed or vehicle-mountable launch unit that can carry two Igla or Verba launch tubes. Sources: A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part I |
| Gibka-S vehicle-mounted launcher configuration | Tigr-based vehicle launcher | Rosoboronexport and Rostec describe Gibka-S as a mobile launcher able to fire Igla-S or Verba MANPADS missiles, with four ready launch containers and additional stowed missiles. Sources: "Gibka-S", A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part II |
Verba is presented as the newer Russian MANPADS line while sharing launcher and support-equipment context with Igla-family missiles.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Predecessor MANPADS family | Rosoboronexport promotion identifies Igla-S as Verba's predecessor, and Rostec/Rosoboronexport describe Dzhigit and Gibka-S equipment that can use Igla-S and Verba launch tubes or missiles. Sources: Rosoboronexport Starts Marketing New Verba MANPADS Globally, A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part I, "Gibka-S" |
ARES reported that Verba passed Russian Army testing in summer 2011 and was confirmed for production later that year.
Sources: 9K333 Verba MANPADS Now in Service with Russian Military
ARES reported the system appearing with the Ivanovo VDV division, while Rostec later described Verba as fielded since 2014.
Sources: 9K333 Verba MANPADS Now in Service with Russian Military, A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part I
ARES coverage from MAKS identified the 9K333 complete system, 9P333 launch tube, and 9M336 missile designations.
Sources: New Images of 9K333 Verba MANPADS from Russian Trade Show
Atlantic Council reported Russian Verba deployment in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, and Alert 5 reported a Russian Verba team was said to have downed a drone over Damascus.
Sources: Who Is Russia Deploying Its Newest MANPADS Against in Syria?, Verba MANPADS Destroys Drone over Damascus
Defence Blog and Euromaidan Press reported Ukrainian capture of a Russian 9M336 Verba missile manufactured in 2020 during the full-scale 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Sources: Ukrainian Troops Seize Russia's New Verba Missile, Ukrainian Troops Seize Russia's Most Advanced Verba MANPADS
Rostec described Dzhigit as a twin launch-tube support unit compatible with Verba and Gibka-S as a Tigr-based vehicle using standard Igla-S and Verba launch containers.
Sources: A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part I, A Salvo from MANPADS: Dzhigit and Gibka-S Systems, Part II
The Aviationist identified a Verba MANPADS mounted on a Russian Geran-2 one-way attack drone found in Ukraine, while noting the exact operational employment remained uncertain.
Sources: MANPADS Becomes Latest Addition to Russia's Geran-2 Attack Drone
Financial Times reporting said transaction documents listed Verba launch units and 9M336 missiles with separate per-unit prices in an Iran-related deal.
Sources: Iran Agreed Secret Shoulder-Fired Missile Deal with Russia
