SA-16 Gimlet
Man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS), third generation
The first Igla (1981), with two detectors: a cooled InSb detector finds the target, a second one recognises flares, and logic in the seeker tells them apart. It also computes lead and steers onto the fuselage instead of the exhaust just before impact. Widely exported and licence-built (Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar); the Chinese QW-1 is derived from it.
Learn more in the AirDefense Academy →Dimensionsfor imagery analysis
- Missile (L × Ø, span)
- 9M313: 1.67 m (with tube) × Ø 72 mm; 10.8 kg
- System
- 17.9 kg (WEG: 13.9 kg)
- Dimension source
- Wikipedia; WEG (ODIN)
General
- Role
- Last layer, man-portable
- Manufacturer
- KBM (Kolomna)
- In service
- 11 March 1981
- Licence production
- Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar (since 2004); QW-1 (CN) derived
- System weight
- 17.9 kg; missile 10.8 kg
Weapon
- Missile
- 9M313
- Guidance
- Infrared: cooled InSb (MWIR) + uncooled PbS for flare detection, with discrimination logic
- Range
- ≈ 2.7 NM (max)
- Altitude
- up to ≈ 8,200 ft
- Speed
- ≈ 570 m/s
- Warhead
- 1.17 kg (390 g HMX), delayed impact fuze; terminal manoeuvre towards the fuselage
Warning & threat
- RWR
- No — passive; only a MAWS sees the launch
- Combat record
- Gulf War 1991 (Tornado, possibly), Rwanda 1994, Cenepa War 1995 (Mi-25), Kosovo 1999 (two A-10s hit)
- Countermeasure
- Altitude, DIRCM; flares less effective due to flare detection
- Threat level
- Medium — first generation with real flare resistance
News archive 1
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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«Ігла» проти реактивного дрона: на Рівненщині «Герань-4» знищили із ПЗРК (ArmyInform: Igla versus a jet drone: Geran-4 destroyed with a MANPADS in Rivne region)
On the morning of 11 October, Ukrainian air defenders in Rivne region (north-western Ukraine) destroyed a Russian jet-powered Geran-4 drone, ArmyInform reports. According to a video released by Air Command West, the drone was shot down by Junior Sergeant Vasyl Rezanovych of the command's security battalion using an Igla-1 man-portable air-defence system (MA…