Ukrainian military shot down Russian UAV with Polish “Żądło” air defense system

The Ukrainian military, with the help of the Polish “Żądło” anti-aircraft missile system, shot down a Russian drone.

Ukrainian air defense hit the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone.

The soldiers used a modernized Polish version of the “Osa” SAM, which in Poland was designated as Osa-AKM-P1 “Żądło.”

These modernized systems received passive detection and identification systems in Poland.

They enable the search and firing of targets without the use of radar, which no longer unmasks the SAM.

The number of transferred to Ukraine SAMs was not named, but it is known that in 2021 Poland had 64 units in service.

Poland received these anti-aircraft missile systems in the early 80s from the Soviet Union.

On October 11, 2022, Valerii Zaluzhny wrote that unnamed Polish air defense systems are already operating in Ukraine.

In 2001, the Polish company Wojskowe Zakłady Uzbenia SA developed a modernization kit for the outdated Soviet-era Osa-AK systems. Modernization of the systems began in 2005 with the new Osa-AKM-P1 “Żądło” (Osa-R) designation.

Radar equipment experienced major alterations throughout the modernization process, including a partial transfer to a new element basis. To better detect air targets, the observation station’s electronic interference protection was enhanced. The air defense system was also strengthened with new indication means and modern monitors to display air conditions.

The passive detection and identification system was a key upgrade that boosted the combat capabilities of the updated Osa-P air defense system.

This passive detection and identification system consists of a television sight with a thermal imager and laser rangefinder. In the modernized system, a new receiver of the anti-aircraft missile guidance station with digital signal processing appeared. The receiver made it possible to improve the accuracy and probability of defeat.