Polish-modified S-125 air defense system helps Ukraine shoot down Russian ballistic missiles
NEWA-SC air defense system (Photo: Defence 24)
Ukrainian Telegram channels have shared a photo of an unidentified air defense system credited with shooting down more than a hundred cruise and ballistic missiles, according to Defence 24.
Media reports suggested that the markings on the unit’s body were applied to a Patriot command post. However, Poland’s defense outlet Defence 24 concluded that the photo actually shows the radar cabin SNR-125 from the Polish-modernized S-125 NEWA-SC system.
The publication notes that among the many downed cruise missiles (such as Iskander-K, Kalibr, or Kh-101), there are also several markings believed to represent ballistic missiles (likely Tochka-U, Iskander-M, or Kinzhal).
“The analysis of the published photos shows that the missile markings were painted on the cabin of the SNR-125 radar operator, mounted on a MAZ-543 chassis - a former launcher for Elbrus/SCUD ballistic missiles, retired from the Polish army in 1989,” the outlet notes.
What is known about NEWA-SC
The report states that the NEWA system, equipped with 5V27U missiles, can engage targets at a range of up to 25 km and an altitude of up to 18 km.
The system was originally developed in the late 1950s in the Soviet Union to target enemy aircraft at low altitudes.
The SC version (standing for self-propelled, digital) is a Polish modification of the Soviet design. Large-scale modernization of the S-125 NEWA systems in Poland began in the second half of the 1990s.
The modernization aimed, among other things, to increase firepower, improve mobility, change combat operation modes, and simplify training. A key element was the replacement of analog components with digital ones, which also improved resistance to jamming.
Defence 24 reports that at least one NEWA-SC system was delivered to Ukraine, as confirmed by social media posts.
According to the outlet’s sources, the photo was taken in 2023.
What air-defense systems are in Ukraine
As RBC-Ukraine reported, the Ukrainian Air Force recently demonstrated the British Raven air-defense system in action against Russian targets in southern Ukraine.
The system is armed with AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles and is designed to engage all types of drones, cruise missiles, and, ideally, aircraft and helicopters.
The combat vehicle’s crew consists of three people: a commander, a driver, and a gunner-operator. The crew positions are interchangeable, meaning members can swap roles if necessary.
A Romanian-made air-defense system has also appeared online in the context of Ukraine’s arsenal. This is the CA-95 - a copy of the Soviet Strela-1 short-range air-defense system.
The CA-95 is equipped with four launchers for surface-to-air missiles. The system can engage targets at altitudes from 50 to 3,500 meters and at ranges from 800 to 4,200 meters.
