9K37M1-2/9K317 Buk-M1-2/M2E (RS-SA-11 Gadfly/RS-SA-17 Grizzly)

The 9K37M1-2/9K317 Buk-M1-2/M2E is a series of highly mobile, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and later Russia. These systems are designed to engage a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs, in various weather conditions.

Developed by the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute (NIIP), this family of systems evolved from the original Cold War-era 9K37 Buk to counter increasingly sophisticated precision-guided munitions, tactical ballistic missiles, and intense electronic countermeasures. The Buk-M1-2 variant officially entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in 1998, while the deeply modernized Buk-M2 (export designation M2E) was adopted in 2008 featuring phased-array radars and improved multi-target engagement capabilities. These systems have seen extensive combat deployment, notably during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the Syrian Civil War, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where they have been operated by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. Today, the Buk-M1-2 and M2E remain highly active globally, serving as a critical medium-range layer in modern integrated air defense networks alongside newer variants like the Buk-M3.