Krug-M

The 2K11 Krug (SA-4 Ganef) is a self-propelled medium-range surface-to-air missile system. It was developed in the USSR.

The development of the Krug surface-to-air missile system (SAMS) for the land forces began in February 1958 in accordance with a resolution of the Council of Ministers.

Research Institute-20 of the State Committee for Research and Development, later the Electromechanical Research Institute of the Ministry of Radio Industry, was appointed as the lead company for the development of the Krug SAM. The institute also designed the 1C32 missile guidance station and onboard control equipment.

Initially, it was planned to use the B-757 missile, which had been developed since July 1957 at Research Institute-6 for the S-75 air Defence system. However, it had large dimensions, a low-mobility launcher with a single guide, and other parameters that did not meet the requirements of ground air Defence, and it was prudently abandoned. In parallel, two more missiles were being developed for the Krug: 3M8 with a command guidance system and 3M10 with a combined guidance system (with homing at the end of the trajectory). However, the 3M10’s performance could not be brought to the required level, and it was decided to equip the system with the 3M8 missile.

The 3M8 missile and the artillery part of the 2P24 launcher were developed at the “DO-8” and Plant No. 8 (Sverdlovsk), which had previously been engaged exclusively in anti-aircraft artillery and only in 1958 reoriented to anti-aircraft missiles (later, the DO-8 was renamed the Sverdlovsk Machine-Building DO Novator).