OVERVIEW
The SA-7 Grail proved popular with many Soviet-allied nations and states.
The SA-7 Grail proved popular with many Soviet-allied nations and states.
YEAR: 1968
MANUFACTURER(S): State Factories - Soviet Union
OPERATORS: Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Botswana; Benin; Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; China; Croatia; Cuba; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Czechoslovakia; Egypt; Ethiopia; Finland; East Germany; Germany; Ghana; Guinea-Bissau; Hungary; Indonesia; India; Iraq; Iran; Kuwait; Laos; Lebanon; Libya; Macedonia; Mauritania; Morocco; Mozambique; Nicaragua; North Korea; Pakistan; Peru; Poland; Romania; Sierra Leone; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Somaliland; South Yemen; Soviet Union; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Ukraine; Vietnam; Yugoslavia; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Tamil Eelam
SPECIFICATIONS
Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible. Calibers listed may be model/chambering dependent.
Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible. Calibers listed may be model/chambering dependent.
ACTION: Heat Sensitive Anti-Aircraft Missile System
CALIBER(S): Not Available
SIGHTS: Included Optics
RANGE (EFFECTIVE): 4,921 feet (1,500 meters; 1,640 yards)
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail) - Initial production model.
• 9K32M Strela-2M (SA-7b Grail Mod 1) - Improved Strela-2; improved range and warhead lethality.
• Sakr Eye - Locally-Produced Egyptian SAM
• HN-5 - Locally-Produced Chinese SAM
• CA-94 - Romanian Designation
• CA-94M - Romanian Designation
• Anza MKI - Pakistani Designation
• Ayn al Saqr - Egyptian Designation
• Hwasung-Chong - North Korean Designation
Series Model Variants
• 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail) - Initial production model.
• 9K32M Strela-2M (SA-7b Grail Mod 1) - Improved Strela-2; improved range and warhead lethality.
• Sakr Eye - Locally-Produced Egyptian SAM
• HN-5 - Locally-Produced Chinese SAM
• CA-94 - Romanian Designation
• CA-94M - Romanian Designation
• Anza MKI - Pakistani Designation
• Ayn al Saqr - Egyptian Designation
• Hwasung-Chong - North Korean Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the SA-7 (Grail) / 9K32 Strela-2 Surface to Air Anti-Aircraft Missile Defense System. Entry last updated on 9/10/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the SA-7 (Grail) / 9K32 Strela-2 Surface to Air Anti-Aircraft Missile Defense System. Entry last updated on 9/10/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The SA-7 (NATO designation of "Grail" or Soviet designation of "Strela-2") is a MANPAD system - a portable shoulder launched anti-aircraft weapon system. The lethality of such a system lies in the mobility of the firer to seemingly 'pop up' at opportune times and strike at low-flying aircraft. The effect of such an element is two fold as it forces the targeted aircraft to fly above and beyond the range of the weapon, exposing it to the hazards of enemy radar or more potent surface-to-air defenses. Should the aircraft continue to fly within the range of a weapon like the Grail, it carries the greater calculated risk of being brought down from a smaller enemy below or behind the aircraft.
Similar in many respects to the American Redeye surface-to-air missile system, the SA-7 Grail has proven most accurate against low-flying aircraft and helicopters with the only major drawback being that the missile, once fired, must be trained in on a consistent heat source to score a kill. The weapon maintains a hit percentage of roughly 90%, though the HE (High Explosive) warhead is said to not accomplish much in the way of overall damage - as proven in some instances where damaged Israeli fighters were able to return to friendly airbases after receiving direct hits from Grail ground detachments during the Arab-Israeli War of 1973.
Nevertheless, the system can still be considered deadly in the event that critical systems are destroyed or damaged - in an aircraft that could be the cockpit, avionics or engine components and in rotary aircraft, that could be the cockpit, the tail rotor assembly or main rotor assembly. In any event, the use of the SA-7 Grail is even the most basically-trained of hands should still be regarded as a potential enemy threat to aircraft.
Similar in many respects to the American Redeye surface-to-air missile system, the SA-7 Grail has proven most accurate against low-flying aircraft and helicopters with the only major drawback being that the missile, once fired, must be trained in on a consistent heat source to score a kill. The weapon maintains a hit percentage of roughly 90%, though the HE (High Explosive) warhead is said to not accomplish much in the way of overall damage - as proven in some instances where damaged Israeli fighters were able to return to friendly airbases after receiving direct hits from Grail ground detachments during the Arab-Israeli War of 1973.
Nevertheless, the system can still be considered deadly in the event that critical systems are destroyed or damaged - in an aircraft that could be the cockpit, avionics or engine components and in rotary aircraft, that could be the cockpit, the tail rotor assembly or main rotor assembly. In any event, the use of the SA-7 Grail is even the most basically-trained of hands should still be regarded as a potential enemy threat to aircraft.
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