Army Recognition:
Russia’ manufacturer of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems Almaz-Antey has detailed its newest Viking SAM system that is an export-oriented variant of the Buk-M3. The new SAM system can be mounted on both wheeled and tracked vehicles and integrated with other Russian-made air defence assets, such as the Buk-M2E medium-range and Tor-M2E short-range air defense systems.
According to the company, the 9K317E Viking SAM system is designed to engage cruise missiles, frontline and strategic aircraft, high-precision weapons, stealth targets, rotary-wing platforms (including hovering ones), and radio-emitting surface and ground targets in electronically contested areas.
In the baseline configuration, the Viking comprises a 9S510ME command and control post, target detection system, six 9S36ME radars, six 9A317ME transport-erector launchers (TELs), 12 9A316 self-propelled launchers, and 9M317ME SAMs.
