At MSPO 2026 arms exhibition in Poland, Ukrainian enterprise KB Luch, part of UkrOboronProm, presented its RK-19 surface-to-air missile designed for use with Soviet Osa SAM systems. Although visually it is not shown for first time, this time characteristics were disclosed.
According to manufacturer materials, new missile is designed for intercepting subsonic and supersonic targets at medium range. It relies on radio-command guidance with proximity fuze and fragmentation-high-explosive warhead weighing 14.3 kg.
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Declared is target engagement capability at ranges up to 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. Transport-launch container with missile mass is 163 kg. Maximum flight speed is 600 m/s.
Recall for standard 9M33M3 missile for Osa-AKM, declared range is 10 km, operating altitude up to 5 km, 15 kg warhead with maximum speed of 500 m/s. Together with transport-launch container its mass is 157 kg.
Thus RK-19 has approximately same characteristics as old interceptors, although it has somewhat greater maximum speed. Visually both missiles are also very similar to each other. Specifically thanks to similarity, RK-19 was identified on public footage in spring 2026.
Since Osa SAM system interceptor stocks are limited, to ensure their operation Armed Forces had to use older versions from them with worse characteristics. Also air-to-air short-range missile integration was conducted, like R-73, which also has its disadvantages like reduced range and necessity to rely on missile's own seeker.
Thanks to RK-19 appearance, old air defense systems will continue standing on guard of Ukrainian skies and intercepting aerodynamic targets. This includes jet drones and cruise missiles like Banderol.
Ukrainian surface-to-air missile price for Osa and its production volumes are currently not announced. However this is logical given this involves quite sensitive information.
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