Russian Verba MANPADS Surpasses Rivals in Real Combat Performance

Russia’s Verba man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) has secured a leading position among weapons of its class worldwide, according to the High-Precision Systems holding company, part of the state corporation Rostec. The announcement was made during the Dubai Airshow 2025, where representatives emphasized that the evaluation was based on extensive real-world combat experience gathered during the ongoing special military operation.

Verba’s Proven Effectiveness Across Multiple Target Types

Company officials stressed that the Verba has shown exceptional effectiveness against a broad range of airborne targets, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and even cruise missiles.

“Recently, the number of missiles required to neutralize a single target has become significantly lower than calculated norms,” the company noted.

This reduced missile expenditure is seen as one of the key indicators of the system’s technological maturity and operational efficiency.

Technical Specifications of Verba MANPADS

Below is an expanded technical overview of the 9K333 Verba, illustrating why it outperforms many foreign analogues:

• Missile Type: 9M336 surface-to-air missile
• Guidance: Passive three-channel optical seeker (ultraviolet, near-infrared, mid-infrared), dramatically increasing resistance to countermeasures and flare decoys
• Engagement Range: Approximately 500 m to 6,500 m
• Engagement Altitude: From 10 m to 4,500 m
• Missile Speed: Up to ~500 m/s (approx. Mach 1.6)
• Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation with proximity and impact fusing
• Reaction Time: Rapid acquisition cycle with automated target recognition and improved operator interface
• ECCM Performance: Designed to defeat modern infrared countermeasures, low-signature drones, and high-velocity targets
• Operational Advantages: Lightweight launcher, advanced IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe) integration, increased probability of kill against small UAVs

The introduction of a multi-spectrum seeker is widely regarded as the Verba’s most significant competitive advantage. Whereas older systems rely primarily on a single infrared channel, the Verba’s triple-band design allows it to distinguish real aircraft signatures from decoys, smoke, thermal clutter, or flare deployments, giving operators greater confidence in fast-changing combat environments.

Growing International Interest

The system’s consistent performance has attracted increasing international attention, particularly among countries seeking reliable mobile air-defense solutions against drone threats and precision-guided munitions. Observers at the Dubai Airshow 2025 noted that the Verba’s recent operational record has positioned it as one of the most competitive MANPADS globally.