Air-defence warriors fire Osa-AK missile at Gopalpur (Photo: Southern Army Command)
New Delhi: Indian Army has conducted a live missile firing exercise at the Gopalpur Seawards Firing Ranges in Odisha, involving the firing of the 9K33 Osa-AK missile system, with all direct hits on the maneuverable expandable aerial targets (MEAT).
Indian Army’s Southern Command in a post on X said: “ ... Air Defence Warriors of the #WhiteTigerDivision showcased exceptional skill and precision during the OSA-AK missile firing at #Gopalpur Seawards Firing Ranges.”
“With all direct hits on Maneuverable Expendable Aerial Target (MEAT), they demonstrated unparalleled technical expertise and operational readiness,” it said.
शान्तौ यत् अधिकं स्वेदसि, संग्रामे तत् अल्पं रक्तसि।
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) April 1, 2025
Air Defence Warriors of the #WhiteTigerDivision showcased exceptional skill and precision during the OSA-AK missile firing at #Gopalpur Seawards Firing Ranges. With all direct hits on Manuverable Expandable Aerial Target… pic.twitter.com/U1kVhDmVVC
What is the Osa-AK missile system?
Soviet-designed, the Osa-AK is a low-altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system. Developed in the 1960s and inducted by the Soviet Union in 1972, the Osa-AK has been the mainstay for several armies across the world, including the Indian Army.
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Highly mobile in nature, the Osa-AK missile system can quickly respond to threats in a rapidly changing combat environment.
The Osa-AK’s all-in-one vehicle setup, combining the transporter-erector-launcher and radar (TELAR), enables it to detect, track, and engage aerial threats independently. The Osa-Ak missile system is fully amphibious, air transportable, and able to operate in a range of terrain conditions.
Osa-AK missile systems in Russia-Ukraine war
Currently, Russia and Ukraine have versions of the 9K33 Osa in their inventories. In the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, the Osa missile systems are being used in active combat, with several units reportedly destroyed in recent years.
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In March 2019, Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed an Osa-AKM missile system in Donbas. More recently, the Osa systems have seen action against the Russian invasion, with losses documented on both sides.'
In December 2024, it was revealed that Ukrainian forces had modified their Osa systems to launch air-to-air missiles, an effort to extend the system’s capabilities in the face of dwindling missile stocks.
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The adaptability of the Osa-AK in combat scenarios, whether against aerial threats or other military systems, underscores its lasting relevance in modern warfare.
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