| S-125 Neva NATO reporting name: SA-3 Goa, SA-N-1 Goa | |
|---|---|
 Peruvian Air Force Pechora. | |
| Type | Short-rangeSAM system |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961[1]–present |
| Used by | See list ofpresent and former operators |
| Wars | War of Attrition Yom Kippur War Angolan Civil War Uganda–Tanzania War Iran–Iraq War Gulf War NATO bombing of Yugoslavia Syrian Civil War 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Tigray conflict Russian Invasion of Ukraine[2] 2025 India–Pakistan conflict[3] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Almaz Central Design Bureau |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | JSC Defense Systems (Pechora-M) |
| Produced | 1961–present |
| Variants | Neva, Pechora, Volna, Neva-M, Neva-M1, Volna-M, Volna-N, Volna-P, Pechora 2, Pechora 2M, Newa SC, Pechora-M |
TheS-125Neva/Pechora (Russian:С-125 "Нева"/"Печора",NATO reporting nameSA-3Goa) is a Sovietsurface-to-air missile system that was designed byAleksei Isaev to complement theS-25 andS-75. It has a shorter effective range and lower engagementaltitude than either of its predecessors and also flies slower, but due to its two-stage design it is more effective against more maneuverable targets. It is also able to engage lower flying targets than the previous systems, and being more modern it is much more resistant toECM than the S-75. The 5V24 (V-600) missiles reach aroundMach 3 to 3.5 in flight, both stages powered bysolid fuelrocket motors. The S-125, like theS-75, uses radio command guidance. The naval version of this system has the NATO reporting nameSA-N-1 Goa and original designationM-1 Volna (Russian Волна –wave).
The S-125 was first deployed between 1961 and 1964 aroundMoscow, augmenting theS-25 andS-75 sites already ringing the city, as well as in other parts of theUSSR. In 1964, an upgraded version of the system, theS-125M "Neva-M" and laterS-125M1 "Neva-M1" was developed. The original version was designated SA-3A by theUS DoD and the new Neva-M namedSA-3B and (naval)SA-N-1B. The Neva-M introduced a redesigned booster and an improved guidance system. The S-125 was not used against U.S. forces inVietnam, because the Soviets feared that China (after the souring of Sino-Soviet relations in 1960), through which most, if not all of the equipment meant for North Vietnam had to travel, would try to copy the missile.[citation needed]
TheFAPA-DAA acquired a significant number of S-125s, and these were encountered during the first strike ever flown bySAAFMirage F.1s against targets in Angola – in June 1980. While the SAAF reported two aircraft were damaged by SAMs during this action, Angola claimed to have shot down four.[4]
On 7 June 1980, while attackingSWAPO's Tobias Haneko Training Camp duringOperation Sceptic (Smokeshell), SAAF Major Frans Pretorius and Captain IC du Plessis, both flying Mirage F.1s, were hit by S-125s. Pretorius's aircraft was hit in a fuel line and he had to perform adeadstick landing at AFB Ondangwa. Du Plessis's aircraft sustained heavier damage and had to divert to Ruacana forward airstrip, where he landed with only the main undercarriage extended. Both aircraft were repaired and returned to service.[5]
_Missiles_Captured_by_IDF_During_Yom_Kippur_War.jpg)
The Soviets supplied several S-125s to the Arab states in the late 1960s and 1970s, most notably Egypt and Syria. The S-125 saw extensive action during theWar of Attrition and theYom Kippur War. During the latter, the S-125, along with theS-75 Dvina and2K12 Kub, formed the backbone of the Egyptian air defence network. In Egypt, March–July 1970 Soviet battalions of S-125 17 Shooting (35 missiles) shot down nine Israeli and one Egyptian planes. Israel recognized the 5F-4 Phantoms in 1970 (1 more was W/O[6]) and in 1973 another 6.[7]
During thePackage Q Strike against downtown Baghdad on 19 January 1991, a USAFF-16 (serial 87-257) was shot down. The aircraft was struck by a S-125 just south of Baghdad. The pilot, Major Jeffrey Scott Tice, ejected safely but became a POW.[8] It was the 8th combat loss and the first daylight raid over Baghdad.[9]
AYugoslav Army250th Air Defense Missile Brigade 3rd battery equipped with S-125 systemshot down aF-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft on March 27, 1999 during theKosovo War (the only recorded downing of a stealth aircraft) near villageBuđanovci, about 45 km from Belgrade. The pilot LT.COL. Darrell Patrick Zelko ejected and was later found by US search and rescue forces. An S-125 also shot down a NATOF-16 fighter on May 2 (its pilot; Lt. ColDavid L. Goldfein, the commander of555th Fighter Squadron, managed to eject and was later rescued by acombat search-and-rescue (CSAR) mission).[10][11]
On 17 March 2015, a USMQ-1 Predator drone was shot down by aSyrian Air Defense Force S-125 missile while on an intelligence flight near the coastal town of Latakia.[12]
In December 2016, ISIS forces captured three S-125 launchers after they retook Palmyra from Syrian government troops.[13]
On April 14, 2018, American, British, and French forceslaunched a barrage of 103 air-to-surface and cruise missiles targeting eight Syrian military sites. The Russian military claimed that thirteen S-125 missiles launched in response destroyed five incoming missiles.[14] However, the American Department of Defense stated no Allied missiles were shot down.[15]
According to a joint journalistic investigation by the Buro Media,Hetq andOCCRP, during theSecond Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan shot down Armenian drones with the Pechora-2TM air defense system, purchased from the private Belarusian arms manufacturer Tetraedr.[16]
On 6 December 2022, a photo of Polish variant Newa-SC in Ukrainian service, likely made that summer, emerged in media during theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[17] Until then, there had been no info on supplying Newa-SC to Ukraine.
During theOperation Sindoor, India used the S-125 missiles to shoot down several Pakistani swarm drones and loitering munitions.[18][19]
The missile systems have been integrated with theIACCS network.[18] Further,Bengaluru-basedAlpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) was assigned the responsibility as a strategic of the upgrade programme of the missile system. On 25 September 2020, ADTL received a contract worth₹591.3crore (equivalent to₹696 crore or US$82 million in 2023) for the project. The upgraded Pechora system includes the completedigitisation of the tracking radar system, newtransmitter, upgrading receiver chain from valve/transistor components tosemiconductor chips, modernisation of operator cabin with state-of-the-art displays, health monitoring systems, replacement of mechanical components among others. ADTL had also deliveredsoftware-defined radios,thermal imagingfire-control units, hand heldlaser target designators as well as missile launch detection systems. The programme director of the Pechora upgrade project at ADTL was retired Air Force officer,Wing Commander Vishal Anand. It has been reported that the user firing trials of the first upgraded system was conducted between 6 November and 6 December 2025 at thePokhran Field Firing Ranges.[20]
The S-125 is somewhat mobile, an improvement over theS-75 system. The missiles are typically deployed on fixed turrets containing two or four but can be carried ready-to-fire onZIL trucks in pairs. Reloading the fixed launchers takes a few minutes.
| V-600 | |
|---|---|
 V-600 missiles on the S-125 quadruple launcher. | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Variants | V-600, V-601 |
| Specifications (V-601[22]) | |
| Mass | 953 kg |
| Length | 6,090 mm |
| Diameter | 375 mm |
| Wingspan | 2,200 mm |
| Warhead | Frag-HE |
| Warhead weight | 60 kg |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuse[21] |
| Propellant | Solid propellant rocket motor |
Operational range | 35 kilometres (22 mi) |
| Flight altitude | 18,000 metres (59,000 ft) |
Guidance system | RFCLOS |
The S-125 system uses two different missile versions and variants.
The launchers are accompanied by a command building or truck and three primaryradar systems:
The P-15 is mounted on a van (P-15M(2) on a taller mast for better performance against low-altitude targets) and also an IFF (Identifies Friend or Foe), SNR-125 on a trailer and PRV-11 on a box-bodied trailer.
Work on a naval versionM-1 Volna (SA-N-1) started in 1956, along with work on a land version. It was first mounted on a rebuiltKotlin class destroyer (Project 56K)Bravyi and tested in 1962. In the same year, the system was accepted. The basic missile was a V-600 (or 4K90) (range: from 4 to 15 km, altitude: from 0.1 to 10 km). Fire control and guidance is carried out by 4R90 Yatagan radar, with fiveparabolic antennas on a common head. Only one target can be engaged at a time (or two, for ships fitted with two Volna systems). In case of emergency, Volna could be also used against naval targets, due to short response time.
The first launcher type was the two-missile ZIF-101, with a magazine for 16 missiles. In 1963 an improved two-missile launcher, ZIF-102, with a magazine for 32 missiles, was introduced to new ship classes. In 1967 Volna systems were upgraded toVolna-M (SA-N-1B) with V-601 (4K91) missiles (range: 4–22 km, altitude: 0.1–14 km).
In 1974 - 1976 some systems were modernized toVolna-P standard, with an additional TV target tracking channel and better resistance to jamming. Later, improvedV-601M missiles were introduced, with lower minimal attack altitude against aerial targets (systemVolna-N).
TheRajput-class destroyers, which were modifiedKashin-class destroyers built for India, also carried the M-1 Volna system. By early 2025, the three ships of the class still in service had the system replaced by other weapons or removed, ending the system's service in the Indian Navy.
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Since Russia replaced all of its S-125 sites withS-300 systems, they decided to upgrade the S-125 systems being removed from service to make them more attractive to export customers.
Early warning radar is replaced by anti-stealth[25][26] radarKasta 2E2, target distance at 2.5–32 km, target altitude - 0.02–20 km, missile launchers can be positioned at up to 10 kilometers away from the control center.[citation needed] Speed up to 1000 m/s (target), Used rocket 5V27DE,[27] by weight the warhead + 50% range of flight splinters + 350%.[citation needed] Probability of hitting the target 1st rocket: at a distance up to 25 km - 0,72-0,99,detection range with the radar cross section = 2 sq meters about 100 km, with RCS = 0.15 sq m - about 50 km, with no interference. When using active jamming - 40 km.[28] ADMS "Pechora-2M" has the ability to interfacing with higher level command post and radar remote using telecode channels. Is equally effective at any time during the day and at night (optical location, daytime and nighttime, and also thermal imager) was awarded a contract to overhaul Egypt's S-125 SAM system. These refurbished weapons have been reintroduced as the S-125 Pechora 2M.[29]
In 2001, Poland began offering an upgrade to the S-125 known as theNewa SC. This replaced manyanalogue components withdigital ones for improved reliability and accuracy. This upgrade also involves mounting the missile launcher on aWZT-1 tank chassis (aTEL), greatly improving mobility and also addsIFF capability and data links. Radar is mounted on an 8-wheeled heavy truck chassis (formerly used forScud launchers).Serbian modifications include terminal/camera homing from radar base.
Cuba also developed a similar upgrade to the Polish one, which was displayed inLa Habana in 2006.[30]
Later the same year, the Russian version was upgraded again to thePechora-M which upgraded almost all aspects of the system - the rocket motor, radar, guidance,warhead,fuse and electronics. There is an addedlaser/infra-red tracking device to allow launching of missiles without the use of the radar.
There is also a version of the S-125 available from Russia with the warhead replaced withtelemetry instrumentation, for use as target drones.
In October 2010, UkrainianAerotechnica announced a modernized version of S-125 namedS-125-2D Pechora.[31] As of 2018 according to the UkrOboronProm, the S-125 surface-to-air missile underwent an integrated modification of all elements, including modernization of missiles, as well as the use of a new radar station built on solid-state elements. The distance of the Ukrainian S-125 modernization's engagement area, 40 km, is greater than that of the Russian one.[citation needed]
The Vietnamese state-owned agencyViettel Aerospace Institute has unveiled a modernization version of S-125, designated as theS-125-VT. More than 5 systems has been upgraded and being in service ofVietnamese Air Defence since 2024.[32][33] The upgrade package includes compatibility with a newer, more modern surveillance radar, enhanced anti-jamming capability, and mechanization of components such as the SNR-125 fire-control radar and the missile reloading vehicle. A new missile model was also developed and upgraded, designated TLDK-35.
Algeria − 12 S-125M Pechora-M and 24 S-125M1 Pechora-M1 batteries as of 2024.[34]
Angola − 12 S-125M1 Pechora-M1 batteries as of 2024.[35]
Armenia[36]
Azerbaijan − 24 S-125-2TM Pechora-2TM batteries as of 2024.[37]
Bulgaria − S-125M Neva-M.[38]
Cuba − S-125M/M1 Pechora M/M1, some Pechora M1s are mounted onT-55 tank chassis.[39]
Egypt − 40 S-125-2M Pechora-2M and 120 S-125M Pechora-M batteries as of 2024.[40]
Ethiopia − 4 S-125M1 Pechora-M1 batteries as of 2024.[41]
India − S-125M Pechora-M.[42]
Kazakhstan − 3 S-125-1T batteries as of 2024.[43]
Kyrgyzstan − 8 S-125M1 Neva-M1 batteries as of 2024.[44]
Laos − 6 S-125M Pechora-M batteries as of 2024. Serviceability doubtful[45]
Moldova − 3 S-125M1 Neva-M1 batteries as of 2024.[46]
Mongolia − 2+ S-125-2M Pechora-2M batteries as of 2024.[47]
Myanmar − S-125-2M Pechora-2M.[48]
North Korea− 20 S-125M1 Pechora-M1 batteries as of 2024. Serviceability doubtful.[49]
Peru[50]
Poland − 14 S-125 Newa SC batteries as of 2024.[51]
Serbia − 6 S-125M Neva-M batteries as of 2024.[52]
Syria − S-125-2M Pechora-2M and S-125M/M1 Pechora-M/M1.[53]
South Sudan − 16 S-125 Pechora batteries as of 2024. Serviceability doubtful.[54]
Tajikistan − 3 S-125 Pechora-2M and 5 S-125M1 Neva-M1 batteries as of 2024.[55]
Turkmenistan − 4 S-125 Pechora-2M, 12 S-125M1 Neva-M1, and some S-125-2BM Pechora batteries as of 2024.[56]
Ukraine[57] − In 2022, Ukraine received an undisclosed number of S-125 Newa SC systems from Poland.[58]
Uzbekistan − 4 S-125-2M Pechora-2M and 10 S-125M1 Neva-M1 batteries as of 2024.[59]
Venezuela − 44 S-125 Pechora-2M batteries as of 2024.[60]
Vietnam − 30 S-125TM Pechora-2TM and 21 S-125M Pechora-M batteries as of 2024.[61] The S-125-VT modernized variant was reported to be in service in July 2024[62]
Zambia − 6 S-125M Pechora-M batteries as of 2024.[63]
Afghanistan − 12 launchers in 1992.[64]
Belarus[65]
Cambodia[66]
Czechoslovakia − 120 launchers[64] in 1992, passed on to successor states.[65] Czech Republic[65]
East Germany[67]
Finland − 12 launchers in 1992, designated as the SAM-79.[64]
Georgia[65]
Hungary − 24 launchers in 1992.[64]
Iraq[64]
Islamic State − 2 batteries captured from the Syrian Army in 2016, non-operational[68]
Libya − 132 launchers prior to the2011 Libyan Civil War.[65]
Mali − 12 launchers in 1992,[64] in 2014, Mali's remaining stockpile of V-601 missiles was disposed of.[69]
Mozambique[70] − 12 launchers in 2002[65]
North Yemen[71]
Russia − 100 launchers in 2002.[65]
Serbia and Montenegro − 16 launchers in 2002,[65] passed on to Serbia
Slovakia[72]
Somalia − 8 launchers in 1991.[64]
South Yemen[71]
Soviet Union − 1,250 launchers in 1991,[64] passed on to successor states.[65]
Tanzania[73]
Tigray People's Liberation Front[74]
Yemen − 12 launchers in 2002,[65] most were upgraded to the Pechora-2M standard[75]
Yugoslavia − 140 launchers in 1992.[64]
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