Ukraine Shows New RK-19 Missile for Osa Air Defense Systems

Ukraine Unveils RK-19 Missile for Soviet Osa Systems

20:01 09-09-2026

Ukraine unveiled the RK-19 missile for Soviet Osa air defense systems at MSPO 2026, revealing its range, speed, warhead and key differences from 9M33M3.

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Ukraine’s Luch Design Bureau, part of Ukroboronprom, unveiled the new RK-19 surface-to-air missile at the MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Poland. The weapon was developed to replace Soviet-made missiles for the Osa family of air defense systems, stocks of which are nearly exhausted in the Ukrainian military.

The RK-19 is designed to engage aerial targets at medium ranges, including both subsonic and supersonic threats. The missile uses radio-command guidance, a proximity fuze and a 14.3 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

According to the stated specifications, the missile can strike targets at ranges of up to 10 km and altitudes of up to 5 km. Its maximum speed reaches 600 km/h, while the missile together with its transport-launch container weighs 163 kg.

In its main characteristics, the RK-19 remains very close to the Soviet 9M33M3 missile used by the Osa-AKM system. Both weapons have the same maximum range and engagement altitude. The Soviet missile carries a slightly heavier 15 kg warhead, reaches speeds of up to 500 km/h and weighs 157 kg together with its container. The most noticeable difference is therefore the higher speed of the RK-19, Voennoye Obozreniye reported.

The two missiles are also similar in appearance. Images showing the new Ukrainian development had already emerged in spring 2026.

The Ukrainian military continues to operate several versions of the Soviet-designed Osa system, including the Osa-AK and Osa-AKM. As stocks of standard missiles declined, crews had to rely on older variants with weaker performance or adapt short-range air-to-air missiles such as the R-73 for use with ground-based systems.

That approach came with clear limitations. The conversion reduced engagement range, while effectiveness depended on the operation of the missile’s seeker.

The RK-19 is intended to keep the aging Soviet air defense systems in service without relying on nearly depleted stocks of their original missiles. Luch has not disclosed the missile’s price or planned production volumes, describing those details as classified.