Strela-10M3

The SA-13 Gopher is a short-range, low altitude SAM. The TELAR vehicle is a modified MT-LB amphibious armoured tracked vehicle with the machine-gun turret removed. The launcher pedestal, mounted to the rear center of the vehicle is 360º traversable. The operator’s position is behind a large, rectangular window at its base. The systemincorporates a range-only radar which provides an operator the target’s range to the system. There are two versions of the TELAR variant of the MT-LB vehicle in service, designated TELAR-1 and TELAR-2. Appraisal of both does not show any significant structural differences but it is known that the TELAR-1 carries four passive radar detection antenna units, one on either corner of the vehicle's rear deck, one facing aft and one between the driver's vision ports at the front, whereas the TELAR-2 has none. TELAR-1 is apparently used by the SA-13 battery commander.

Known as the Strela-10 system, the SA-13 missile has a maximum speed of Mach 2, carries a 5kg HE warhead and is fitted with either an improved passive lead sulphide all-aspects infra-red seeker unit, or a cryogenically cooled passive all-aspects infra-red seeker unit. Normally the TELAR carries 4 ready-to-fire SA-13 missiles in the container-launchers and eight reloads in the cargo compartment. However, it might also have 9K31 Strela-1 (SA-9 Gaksin) missiles in the container-launcher boxes or a mixture of both. This enables battlefield features of both missiles to be utilized fully by allowing the less expensive SA-9 missile to be used against easier targets, while the more expensive and sophisticated SA-13 missile against difficult targets. It also allows a choice of infra-red seeker types on the missiles for use against extremely low altitude targets as well as in adverse weather conditions. Some vehicles have a pintle-mounted PKT 7.62mm machine gun in front of the forward hatch for local protection. Other vehicles have been additional support railings for the missile system on the rear deck. The circular parabolic radar antenna is located between the two pairs of missile canisters and is a simple range-only set to prevent wastage of missiles outside the system's effective range. 

Apart from the Strela-10M2, another version has been developed and is designated as the Strela-10M3. This is designed for use to defend troops on the march from low level attacks by aircraft and helicopters, precision-guided munitions and other flying vehicles such as reconnaissance unmanned air vehicles. The major change in the Strela-10M3 is the adoption of a dual mode guidance system for the missile seeker - optical photo-contrast and dual band passive IR. Target acquisition range using the optical photo-contrast channel is between 2000 - 8000 metres whilst for the infra-red channel it is between 2300-5300 metres. The HE-fragmentation rod warhead weighs 5kg in total, including 2.6kg of HE, and uses both contact and active laser proximity fusing systems. The actuation radius of the proximity fuse is up to 4 metres. The dual mode passive optical photo-contrast/infra-red seeker ensures good infra-red decoy counter-counter measures discrimination capability and optimum use of the system against diverse and extremely low altitude targets as well as in adverse weather conditions.