Berlin to ship “Strela” missiles to Ukraine
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Germany is considering supplying 2,700 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine for defence against Russian attacks. The Soviet-era Strela missiles formed part of the inventories of the former East Germany
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Strela-2 (NATO designated SA-7 Grail)
Man-portable air defence system – MANPADS

Maximum range: 5,500m
Maximum altitude: 4,500m 
Weight loaded: 14.7kg

Launcher
Iron sights
Battery-cooling unit 
Gripstock with trigger
9M32M surface-to-air missile
147cm 140cm
Infrared seeker 
1.15kg warhead
Rocket motor

MANPADS in action
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1 Operator activates power supply and waits for missile’s gyroscopes to stabilize

2 Iron sights track target. Operator pulls trigger, activating infrared seeker

3 Missile alerts operator that target is locked
on by illuminating red light in sight and producing buzzing noise

4 Operator has 0.8 seconds to provide lead to target before rocket motor ignites

5 Missile homes in on heat from aircraft engines

Soviet soldier manning Strela launcher

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Sources: DPA, DW, Reuters, Jane’s, FAS Picture: U.S. Military
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