ItO 86M Igla

SA-7 Strela, or ItO 78 as it was designated was the first light SAM in the finnish army. It has now been withdrawn from service. The SA-16, or ItO 86 Igla-1 and the improved ItO 86M Igla is a further and improved evolution of the SA-7. Together with 23 ItK 61/95 it is the main close air defence weapon system of the brigades. Usually two are shot against the same target. It is mainly effective against helicopters and "slow"-flying attack aircraft. This type of MANPAD´s have recently achieved some success in Iraq downing a number of American helicopters.


- Picture © Finnish Defence Forces

Shoulder-fired AA missile
Heat-seeking, not infrared
Missile length: 1.7 m
Missile diameter: 72 mm
Missile weight: 11 kg
Mount weight: 7 kg
Combat charge 2 kg, of which 390 g explosive
Missile speed: 700 m/s
Destructive range: 500 to 5,200 m
Destructive altitude: 10 to 3,500 m
Manufactured in the Soviet Union