Israeli captured 9K31 Strela-1 “SA-9 Gaskin” - Quite needed

[Surbaissemaxxing]

Would you like to see this in-game?

• Yes
• No (Explain why)

G’day lads. As a lot of people know, Israel lacks anti-air with missiles severely, hence why I’m suggesting a filler vehicle for their anti-air line, the captured 9K31 Strela-1 system!

Description:

Spoiler

The 9K31 Strela-1, referred to by NATO as the SA-9 “Gaskin,” is a versatile, short-range, low-altitude, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile system. Originating from the Soviet Union, it is mounted on a BRDM-2 amphibious vehicle and carries four 9M31 missiles. This system is intended to provide air defense against low-flying aircraft and is recognized for its mobility and cost-effectiveness in both production and operation. The Strela-1 boasts an effective range of up to 4.2 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 3 kilometers. Operated by a crew of three, it can reach a top speed of 100 km/h on land and 10 km/h in water. The system has seen use in various conflicts and has been exported to numerous countries.

History:

Spoiler

The Soviet-developed ground-to-air guided missile, known as the Strela-1, fired from the SA-9 “Gaskin” system, has been a significant component of Arab nations’ air defense systems since the 1980s. This missile system, designed for short-range, low-altitude engagements, was widely exported by the Soviet Union to its allies, including several Arab countries. In April 1981, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) acquired a number of SA-9 from Libya, enhancing their capability to target low-flying aircraft.

On May 28, 1981, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched a preemptive strike against the PLO’s newly acquired missile batteries. The IAF’s operation was meticulously planned and executed, resulting in the successful destruction of several SA-9 missile batteries. This strike was part of Israel’s broader strategy to neutralize emerging threats and maintain air superiority in the region.

In response to the PLO’s continued threats and the deployment of additional SA-9 and SA-6 missile batteries, the IAF initiated a more extensive operation in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, on June 9, 1982. This operation, known as Operation Mole Cricket 19, was one of the largest air battles since World War II. The IAF’s objective was to dismantle the Syrian air defense network, which included a significant number of Soviet-supplied missile systems.

During the operation, the IAF employed a combination of electronic warfare, precision-guided munitions, and coordinated air strikes to systematically target and destroy the missile batteries. The IAF’s efforts were highly successful, resulting in the destruction of 19 ground-to-air missile batteries, including both SA-9 and SA-6 systems.

After looking into it, yes, the vehicles were infact captured from Lebanon, used it for training AND even used it with an additional radar (named P-12) mounted on a seperate ZIL-157 truck. They even have the radar displayed on the same museum as the Strela!

Armaments:

Spoiler

4x ready IR guided 9M31M missiles, 2 additional reserve missiles can be strapped onto the side of the vehicle. I do not know if it can carry any more reserve missiles inside of the vehicle

Specifications:

Spoiler

The Gaskin has a length of 5.8m, a width of 2.4m and a height of 2.3m. It weights around 7 or 8.5 tons prolly if fully loaded) tons, with it getting powered by a GAZ 41 engine giving out 140hp at 3400rpm, thus giving it a HP/T ratio of 20.

Sources

Spoiler

Jane’s Land Based Air Defence 1992-3

https://ia801202.us.archive.org/0/items/Anti_Aircraft_Missile_Systems_Book/[Vasilin_N._YA.%2C_Gurinovich_A._L.]_Zenitnuee_raket(libcats.org)%20(1).pdf

9K31 Strela-1 - Wikipedia

Operation Mole Cricket 19 - Wikipedia

Operation Rooster 53 - Wikipedia

9K31 Strela-1 | Weaponsystems.net

Soviet SA-9 Ground to Air missile at the Israeli Air Force Museum at Hazerim on the outskirts of Beersheva ( Beersheba) Israel Stock Photo - Alamy

File:SA-9-Gaskin-TEL-hatzerim-1.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:SA-9-Gaskin-TEL-hatzerim-2.jpg - Wikipedia

Operation Mole Cricket 19 - Israel News - The Jerusalem Post

Mole Cricket 19: The greatest aerial battle in 50 years - GEOPOLITIKI

The Bekaa Valley War | Air & Space Forces Magazine

9K31 Strela-1 (1968)

https://youtu.be/00Ewqmjpg8M

Additional images (from January 2025):

Spoiler

The following images come from the Shiryon Archive, which is a Israeli Tech Tree research server

Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, as this captured vehicle is quite obscure, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)

[Thomas_Belgium]

+1 But only if they add really clear markings that it’s an Israeli vehicle. (Even if the markings would be semi-historical)

[yoyolast]

There’s sufficient evidence that there was a single example captured from the Syrian army in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon in 1982 and that the museum piece presented here is in fact this example. The IDF serial number it carries which starts with a 1 prefix is consistent with the numbering used for vehicles captured by the IDF from enemy forces, meaning it was at the very least registered in the IDF’s inventory before it was given to the museum.

[Thomas_Belgium]

Then that’s even better! What I meant is that the markings in the pictures aren’t clear enough for GRB or especially GSB.

[Kingtiez]

~0 eh, there’s other unique options.
It would also be around 9.7 - 10.0 where Israel isn’t particularly lacking.

[Nike_Ajax]

@Kingtiez

It would also be around 9.7 - 10.0

the usability extends to higher battleratings because strela is very good for close ranges, many top tier players bring it with them

[Surbaissemaxxing]

@Kingtiez

unique options

For example? Strictly speaking about Israeli stuff

[Kingtiez]

HVSD/ADAMS would be one, it has around 12km range missiles and close in weapon system
And even perhaps some from a sub tree of sorts.

[Surbaissemaxxing]

I highly doubt it will be at such low BR. I suggested this because of the lower BR, and even then, aside from the ADAMS, Israel only has the SPYDER left for vehicles of their possession.

[DrJorus]

Glad to see you managed to find the needed sources!

The Strela is still one of the strongest SPAAs for this BR range, so it would help with a combo Machbet + Strela (it would certainly take the place of the Drakon if they keep ignoring the smokeless motor bug).

[foxmeup]

literally one of the only vehicles that doesn’t need it.

[BasherBenDawg8]

A general “Maybe” from me, mainly due to the fact Israel needs more potent top tier SPAA. However there is one drawback to note, it’s a Strela-1 and as such it uses the older 9M13 missile rather than the current 9M37M found ingame on the other Strela-10 platform. From what I understand the potency of this platform would be limited due to this, as it would lack photo-contrast (the unique quality of the Strela’s ingame which prevent them from being fooled by countermeasures and makes them so deadly ingame). It might be a 10.0 platform because of this, but gaijin can always be nice and give it the more modern missile. Just something to keep in mind when considering this vehicle. It could be something so noteworthy it leaves this vehicle at a BR already covered and prevents it from being a necessary addition. If it can help the tree overall where it’s lacking despite these drawbacks, than absolutely a big +1 from me!

@Kingtiez

HVSD/ADAMS

It would cover a completely different range than the suggested vehicle here would. That says the has a radar, radar guided missiles, and a massive rotary cannon. It would be placed at a much higher BR range.

@Surbaissemaxxing

4x ready IR guided 9M31M missiles, 2 additional reserve missiles

(Goodness you’re making a lot of edits xD, rip the 12 in total)
Don’t forget the additional amount provided through ammo boxes!

[Surbaissemaxxing]

@BasherBenDawg8

(Goodness you’re making a lot of edits xD, rip the 12 in total)

I looked for hours without end for more info about the vehicle, so typing mistakes and things I took wrong were typed, but those are edited to be correct now

[ofekk213]

For the first time ever, I’m voting no. We don’t need more Soviet SAMs invading other tech trees.

I’ve discovered two experimental Israeli SAMs that could be implemented instead of this:

M-240 ADMS (TD32) - uses Strela-2/2M SAMs

M113 ADMS - uses Mistral SAMs

Both of these have very little known info on them, but are still more domestic and worthy of addition than this, in my opinion.

[Minus1234]

As much as I respect you for being a contributing member of the Shiryon Archive research community, I must say I oppose to the addition of this vehicle.

It undermines the original vehicles which we have discovered before, adds to the “Israel is copy-paste” argument, and in general adds nothing to the game itself.

Additionally, even though I do infact believe whole-heartedly this vehicle was captured. I have yet to see proof that it was in service with the IDF, while the same can be said about the already in-game Israeli ZSU-57-2, I oppose to the addition of such vehicles.

Best of luck,
Sisay E.

[SidewaysCube946]

It’s a thing with a thingy, why not

[DMYEugen]

+1 even in the presence of more unique options. The 9K37M is just such a potent missile and I can’t imagine the 9K31M being too much worse. I would take it over any boof-ass MANPAD-based system any day.

[NCC105]

@DMYEugen

9K31M being too much worse

it is very bad. no-full aspect ability on IR channel, only optical can get a head-on lock, and shorter range, about 4km.

[WalletWorrier]

I’m sorry but how is this “much needed”? Israel’s already got the Machbet and Chaparral, why would there be a need for another ~9.7 SPAA?
And yes the 9K31 would be ~9.7. Only 4 missiles and while they may share the same name the 9m31 Strela-1 and 9M37 Strela-10 are very different missiles, with the latter being longer-ranged, more agile, and with a much better seeker.

[DMYEugen]

Oh well. I’ll still take this one since multiple nations could get it at the same time.