SA-8 Gecko (9K33 Osa)

SA-8 Gecko (9K33 Osa)

Type: Short-Range Air Defense System

Domain: land

Country of Origin: Russia

Manufacturer: Fakel Design Bureau (Soviet Union)

First Deployed: 1975

Overview

The SA-8 Gecko (Soviet/Russian designation 9K33 Osa) is a self-contained, mobile short-range surface-to-air missile system with all components — radar, missile launcher, and fire control — integrated on a single BRDM-derived 6×6 wheeled amphibious chassis. Each vehicle carries 6 ready missiles with a range of 10–15 km and altitude coverage up to 12 km. The Jordan Arab Army acquired the SA-8 in the 1980s as a complement to its HAWK batteries, providing mobile point-defense for forward units. The system is now significantly dated and faces growing challenges from modern ECM and low-observable targets.

Operators

Related land Weapon Systems