Polish Osa-AK air defense systems spotted in Ukraine

The Osa air defense system in unusual Polish camouflage was spotted in Ukraine.

Footage of the SAM was released on social media.

Previously, neither side reported the transfer of these systems to Ukraine. The number of SAMs transferred was also not named, but it is known that in 2021 Poland had 64 units in service.

Osa is a Soviet anti-aircraft missile system developed in the 60s. Poland received these air defense systems from the USSR in the early 80s. Currently, it is impossible to say what kind of systems Ukraine received: the original version of the Osa-AK or modernized by the Polish industry Osa-P SAM.

Valerii Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, back on October 11 wrote on his official Telegram channel that unnamed Polish air defense systems were already operating in Ukraine.

“It was Poland that provided the systems from which Ukrainians shoot down Iranian drones launched by the Russians with Soviet missiles. These are the realities of today’s war. Many thanks to the Polish brothers!,” Zaluzhny wrote.

Polish S-125 Newa SC and Osa anti-aircraft systems are suitable under this description, but only the latter is able to effectively fight against stealth low-flying targets such as Iranian kamikaze drones.

Osa-P SAM

In 2001, the Polish Wojskowe Zakłady Uzbenia SA developed a modernization kit for outdated Soviet Osa-AK systems. Modernization of the systems began in 2005 under the designation “Osa-AKM-P1 “Żądło” (“Osa-R”).

During the modernization, a radar underwent significant changes: it was partially transferred to a new element base. The electronic interference protection of the observation radar designed to detect air targets was strengthened. Besides, the air defense system was reinforced with new means of indication and modern monitors for displaying air conditions.

A significant change that increased the combat potential of the modernized Osa-P air defense system was a passive optical-electronic station. It made it possible to search and fire targets without using detection radar, which unmasks the complex with high-frequency radiation.

This passive optical-electronic station consists of a TV sight with a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder.

In the modernized system, a new receiver of the anti-aircraft missile guidance station with digital signal processing was installed, making it possible to improve the accuracy and probability of hitting air targets.

The Polish defense industry planned to install new anti-aircraft missiles for the modernized air defense systems, but this project was never implemented. Osa-P is able to fire the entire range of Soviet missiles which are in service with Ukraine and Russia.