Surface-to-Air Missiles
As of 1987 the Soviet Union had more than 9,000 strategic SAM launchers, nearly 5,000 tactical SAM launchers (excluding handheld), and some 10,000 air defense radars. These strategic surface-to-air missiles provide low-to-high altitude barrier, area, and terminal defenses under all weather conditions. Five systems are now operational: SA-2, and SA-3, and the more capable SA-5, SA-10 and SA-12. Over the years, the Soviets continued to deploy the long-range SA-5 and have repeatedly modified this system, while the SA-1 was finally phased out in the mid-1980s.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/airdef/sam.htm
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Updated Friday, July 03, 1998 8:13:07 AM
