Air Defense
9K33 Osa
The 9K33 Osa is a Soviet amphibious self-propelled short-range air defence system, known to NATO as the SA-8 Gecko, in service since 1971. Each 6×6 vehicle carries its own radars and six ready-to-fire missiles with a range of up to 10 km.
Russia|Almaz / NIEMIOverview
The 9K33 Osa was developed by NIEMI and entered Soviet service in 1971. It sits on a 6×6 BAZ-5937 amphibious chassis with search radar, tracking radar and six 9M33 missiles in a single vehicle. The command-guided missile flies at about Mach 2, reaches 1.5 to 10 km and has a 19 kg warhead; altitude coverage is 25 to 5,000 m. The Osa-AK of 1975 improved the system, and the Osa-AKM of 1980 added longer range, a lower altitude limit and better ECM resistance.
More than 1,000 vehicles are estimated built until the 1990s. Operators include Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, India, the UAE, Yemen and many others. Poland and Bulgaria retired or sold theirs, while Greece still operates the Osa-AK. The Osa fought in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq in 1991 and 2003, the Iran-Iraq War, Libya, Yemen and Ukraine, where both sides use it and some Ukrainian systems reportedly shot down Russian aircraft.
Key Specifications
Variants
The 9K33 Osa is the original amphibious short-range air defence vehicle introduced in 1971.
The 9K33M2 Osa-AK is the 1975 improvement with better performance and reliability.
The 9K33M3 Osa-AKM is the 1980 version with longer range, a lower minimum altitude and better ECM resistance.
Operators
Russia
Ukraine
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Syria
Libya
Iraq
Egypt
Algeria
Iran
India
UAE
Yemen
Cuba
Vietnam
North Korea
Angola
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Armenia
GreeceFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the 9K33 Osa?
The 9K33 Osa has a range of 1.5 to 10 km, with the longer figure for the Osa-AKM version. The missile engages targets at altitudes from 25 to 5,000 m.
Is the 9K33 Osa the same as the SA-8 Gecko?
Yes, SA-8 Gecko is the NATO name for the 9K33 Osa. The Soviet system entered service in 1971.
How many missiles does the Osa carry?
The 9K33 Osa carries six ready-to-fire missiles on its 6×6 amphibious vehicle. It also has its own search and tracking radars.
Which countries use the 9K33 Osa?
The Osa is used by Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, India and the UAE, among others. Greece still operates the Osa-AK.
Which Arab countries have the Osa?
Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Yemen and, to some extent, the UAE operate the 9K33 Osa. Many Syrian and Libyan vehicles were lost in conflicts.
Osa vs Tor: what is the difference?
The 9K330 Tor is the Osa’s successor, with a more modern radar and vertical-launch missiles. The Osa has a range of up to 10 km, while the Tor engages multiple targets at once.