Infantry Antiaircraft Missiles

Infantry Antiaircraft Missiles by Steven J. Zaloga (2023 Osprey Publishing softcover 80pp)

 

I’ve always had an interest in military technology and this thin 80-page softcover from the Osprey “Weapon” series (each volume gives an overview of a particular weapon or class of weapon) scratches that itch for me once more.

Author Steven J. Zaloga has been writing in this field for 40+ years. He specializes in Soviet/Russian topics and in this book, he gets plenty of room to flex that particular muscle. There are two main parts to this work, the first gives a history and overview of man portable air defence systems (MANPADS) from their origins in World War Two through to the present day. Particular focus is given to the US efforts (Redeye and Stinger systems) and that of the Soviets and Russians (SA-7 to SA-29). Zaloga shows his expertise in the latter by giving us extensive histories of the complicated Russian developments which often saw two or more different missiles being developed at the same time in case one failed. The organisation names and locations of the Russian developers are something Zaloga reveals with his typical skill. Overall, the first section of the book is a functional introduction to the weapons, UK and European efforts only get a few paragraphs here however.

The second section delves into history and brings us some details of the conflicts in which MANPADS have been used. From Arab-Israeli wars, Vietnam through to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. It soon becomes clear that nobody really knows exactly how effective these missiles have been in combat, statistics are all over the place and vary depending on who compiled them.

The book is fully illustrated with many archive photographs, a few diagrams and a couple of fully painted scenes depicting engagements in Vietnam and Afghanistan – oddly enough the text warns us that such events are rarely as seen in movies but the paintings are exactly that.

This is an interesting book for those who study military technology or for those for whatever reason need an introduction to the topic (e.g., a journalist or other writer). Its not a thorough, detailed history and doesn’t dive too deeply into anything beyond the American and Russian examples. Worth a read if you’re curious about the topic and overall a nicely put together package from Osprey Publishing.