SA-20 Gargoyle
Long-range SAM — main IADS layer
Long-range SAM that for decades formed the core of Russian strategic air defence and is still widespread. Together with the S-400 it forms the outer layer of the IADS. Mobile, with rapid deployment and strong ECCM. Many examples are being modernised or replaced by the S-400.
Dimensionsfor imagery analysis
- Launcher
- 5P85S/D TEL on MAZ-543 8x8
- L × W × H
- 11.7 × 3.07 × 2.92 m
- Missile (L × Ø, span)
- 48N6E: 7.5 m × Ø 0.5 m; 1,780 kg · 5V55R: 7.0 m × Ø 450 mm; 1,450 kg
- Dimension source
- US Army TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
General
- Role
- Strategic area air defence
- Vehicles
- Wheeled (MAZ-543), mobile
- Deployment time
- ± 5 min
- Notable
- Cold-launch, 360° engagement
Weapon
- Missile
- 48N6 / 5V55R
- Guidance
- TVM (track-via-missile) / SARH
- Max range
- ≈ 105 NM (48N6E2)
- Altitude
- 33 ft – 88,600 ft
- Simultaneous targets
- up to 6 (12 missiles)
Radar / sensors
- Acquisition
- 64N6 BIG BIRD
- Fire control
- 30N6 FLAP LID / TOMB STONE
- EPM (ECCM)
- High
Warning & threat
- RWR
- Strong I/J-band lock
- Tactics
- Terrain masking, SEAD/DEAD required
- Threat level
- Very high out to 105 NM
News archive 3
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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HUR: Russia keeps missile stocks steady at up to 700 ballistic and several thousand cruise missiles, produces 200+ missiles a month, and has ordered over 100,000 Geran-type drones and decoys for 2026
According to figures Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) gave the Ukrainian outlet NV, published on 20 October 2026 and reported by Euromaidan Press, Russia holds up to 700 ballistic missiles and several thousand cruise missiles in reserve, roughly the same level HUR reported in July despite the autumn mass strikes. Russia can produce more than 200 missil…
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Chinese Tor-M1 derivative HQ-17 spotted in Algerian camouflage colours
Photos circulating on Chinese social media (Weibo) show a Chinese HQ-17 short-range air defence system painted in a camouflage pattern matching Chinese-made vehicles already in Algerian service, Defence Blog reports. Chinese sources claim the system is headed to Algeria; an OSINT account that flagged the photos noted the match but also a small possibility o…
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Ukraine unveils home-built 'Koral' air-defense missile with claimed anti-ballistic role at MSPO 2026
At Poland's MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Kielce (8–11 September 2026), Ukraine publicly displayed its domestically developed "Koral" (also spelled "Coral"; Ukrainian Корал) surface-to-air missile for the first time, alongside a launcher concept. State defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom released an image showing a missile launching from a self-propelled l…