What is special about the S-125-VT air defense missile system improved by Vietnam?

(Dan Tri) - The S-125-VT missile complex is a modernized version, improved by Vietnam itself, with many outstanding features compared to the standard version, helping to increase the range and improve the ability to hit targets.

The S-125-VT air defense missile system is an upgraded and modernized version of the S-125 Pechora-2TM missile system (also known as SAM-3) developed by the Soviet Union, with the purpose of destroying air attack vehicles, especially low-flying and small-sized targets such as cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)... which are commonly used weapons in modern warfare.

The S-125-VT missile complex moves through Ba Dinh Square during the first rehearsal of the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, September 2 (Photo: Manh Quan).

The upgrade and modernization process is carried out by Viettel Aerospace Institute, under the Military Telecommunications Technology Group (Viettel). The upgrade process focuses on improving radar, fire control system, combat capability in modern environments, upgrading firing range...

The S-125-VT missile complex, upgraded and modernized by Vietnam, has outstanding features, high mobility, efficiency and combat capability (Photo: Hai Long).

In addition to its air defense role, the S-125-VT complex can also be used for ground and surface attack targets.

After upgrading, the radar of the S-125-VT complex is capable of detecting targets at about 90km and the missile can destroy targets at a maximum distance of 30km, with a missile speed of 800m/s (2,880km/h, equivalent to Mach 2.3).

The S-125-VT complex is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, UAVs, etc., which are weapons commonly used in modern warfare (Photo: Hai Long).

In addition to the radar guidance and surveillance system, the S-125-VT is also equipped with an optical-electronic observation unit, allowing detection and locking of low-flying targets or in the event of complete electronic suppression of the radar.

In particular, the S-125-VT has a guidance system that simultaneously guides two missiles to two different targets, with a target hit rate of up to 90%, a significant increase compared to the rate of 45 to 87% of the original version.

The S-125-VT missile complex is capable of destroying targets at a distance of 30km, with a hit rate of up to 90% (Photo: Viettel).

The components of the S-125-VT complex (control vehicle, power supply vehicle, launcher) are all mounted on a field truck chassis, increasing mobility. This allows the S-125-VT complex to deploy in combat formation in just 20 minutes, a significant upgrade from the previous S-125 Pechora version which took 90 minutes to deploy in combat.

The UNK-VT control vehicle is considered the “brain” of the S-125-VT. The control system allows guiding two missiles at two different targets at the same time (Photo: Hai Long).

The self-sufficiency in upgrading and modernizing the S-125-VT missile complex is considered an important achievement of the Vietnamese defense industry, demonstrating the ability to master technology and modernize old weapons systems to meet modern combat requirements.

On the evening of August 24, during a parade rehearsal, a convoy of military vehicles moved on Giang Vo Street (Hanoi), passing in front of the Dan Tri newspaper headquarters. The convoy included a vehicle carrying an S-125-VT missile launcher (Photo: Nguyen Son).

With high mobility, upgraded firing range and increased hit rate, the S-125-VT complex plays an extremely important role in Vietnam's air defense network, helping to protect the Fatherland's airspace and national security.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/to-hop-ten-lua-phong-khong-s-125-vt-do-viet-nam-cai-tien-co-gi-dac-biet-20250825132125309.htm