The S-125 Neva/Pechora (Russian: С-125 "Нева"/"Печора", NATO reporting name SA-3 Goa) is a Soviet surface-to-air missile system designed by Aleksei Isaev to complement the S-25 and S-75. It has a shorter effective range and lower engagement altitude than its predecessors but is more effective against maneuverable targets. The system, operational since 1961, has seen use in various conflicts and has undergone upgrades over the years.

Operational History

• First deployed between 1961 and 1964 around Moscow
• Upgraded versions include S-125M "Neva-M" and S-125M1 "Neva-M1"
• Deployed by Soviet Union, Angola, Middle East countries, Iraq, Yugoslavia, and used in the Syrian Civil War
• Notably, a Yugoslav S-125 shot down a U.S. F-117 Nighthawk during the Kosovo War
• Encountered by U.S. forces in Iraq during Desert Storm
• Used by Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022

Missile Specifications

• Two missile versions: V-600 (5V24) and V-601 (5V27)
• V-601 has a slightly improved range compared to the V-601
• 5V27D is the S-125M1 variant with improved survival features

HARM Codes

• P-19 ("Flat Face") SR: 122
• SNR-125 ("Low Blow") TR: 123

Variants and Upgrades

• Naval version known as M-1 Volna (SA-N-1)
• Modern upgrades include Pechora-2, Pechora-2M, Newa SC, and others
• Various countries, including Russia, Poland, and Cuba, have implemented upgrades
• Ukraine introduced the S-125-2D Pechora with an extended range of 40 km
• Vietnam introduced the S-125-VT as a modernized version

The S-125 is somewhat mobile, with missiles deployed on fixed turrets or carried on ZIL trucks. Reloading fixed launchers takes a few minutes.

Modern Upgrades

• Pechora-2 version (2000) with improved range and multiple target engagement
• Pechora-2M features a new rocket motor, radar, guidance, warhead, and electronics
• Other upgrades include Newa SC, S-125-2D Pechora, and S-125-VT
• Used by multiple countries and introduced for export