Air Defense
Buk-M2 / Buk-M3
The Buk-M2 and Buk-M3 are modern versions of the Soviet/Russian Buk medium-range surface-to-air missile system, built by the Almaz-Antey group. Known to NATO as SA-17 Grizzly and SA-27 Gollum, Buk engages aircraft, cruise missiles and drones and is used by both sides in the Russia–Ukraine war.
Russia|Almaz-Antey (Tikhomirov NIIP)Overview
Designed by the Tikhomirov NIIP, Buk fills the gap between short-range Tor and Pantsir and long-range S-300/S-400. A battery combines a 9S18M1-3 acquisition radar, a command post, self-propelled launchers carrying their own radars and launcher-loaders. The Buk-M2, adopted around 2008, fires the 9M317 to about 50 km and 25 km altitude, with four missiles per launcher. The Buk-M3, in service from 2016, carries six containerised 9M317M missiles that reach about 70 km and 35 km altitude.
Buk-family operators include Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Venezuela and Ukraine, which mainly uses older Buk-M1 systems and has adapted some to fire US Sea Sparrow missiles. A Dutch-led investigation concluded that a Russian Buk shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, killing 298 people; Russia rejects this. In Ukraine both sides field Buks, and open-source trackers document many Russian launchers destroyed. The Buk-M3 remains in production, with the Buk-M3 ‘Viking’ offered for export.
Key Specifications
Variants
Interim upgrade designated SA-17 Grizzly by NATO, bringing the 9M317 missile to the Buk family.
Adopted around 2008, with four 9M317 missiles per launcher, a range of about 50 km and up to 24 targets engaged simultaneously.
Entered Russian service in 2016 with six 9M317M missiles per launcher, a range of about 70 km and up to 36 target channels.
Operators
Russia
Belarus
Azerbaijan
Egypt
Venezuela
UkraineFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the Buk-M3?
The Buk-M3 has a range of about 2.5–70 km and can engage targets at altitudes up to about 35 km. Its 9M317M missile flies at about Mach 4.6, compared with a range of about 50 km for the Buk-M2.
Which countries use the Buk missile system?
The Buk family is used by Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Venezuela and Ukraine. The status of Syria’s Buk-M2E systems has been unclear since December 2024, and Finland has withdrawn the Buk-M1 it received in 1996.
Was MH17 shot down by a Buk?
Yes, according to the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team, MH17 was hit by a Buk missile from a launcher of Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade in July 2014. A Dutch court convicted three men in 2022; Russia denies involvement.
Buk vs S-300: what is the difference?
Buk is a medium-range system reaching about 50–70 km, while the S-300 is a long-range system covering much greater distances. Buk’s self-propelled launchers carry their own radars, making it highly mobile and suited to protecting troops on the move.
Buk vs Patriot: which is better?
Patriot has a longer range and stronger anti-ballistic capability, especially with PAC-3 MSE, while Buk is a medium-range, highly mobile tracked system designed to move with army units. Their roles differ, so a fair comparison depends on the threat.
What does Buk mean?
Buk means ‘beech’ in Russian. NATO designates the versions SA-11 Gadfly (Buk and Buk-M1), SA-17 Grizzly (Buk-M1-2 and Buk-M2) and SA-27 Gollum (Buk-M3), and the system is built by Russia’s Almaz-Antey group.
