Luch RK-19

History

The Luch RK-19 is a Ukrainian surface-to-air interceptor missile developed for use with the Soviet-designed Osa-AKM air-defense system. It is intended to replace increasingly scarce missiles of the 9M33 series while retaining compatibility with the existing Osa-AKM platform.

The RK-19 was publicly presented in April 2026 during a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marking the Day of the Employee of the Defense and Industrial Complex of Ukraine. Its intended association with the Osa-AKM was later confirmed when the missile was displayed at the Ukrainian Defense Industry stand during the MSPO exhibition.

According to Militarnyi, the RK-19 was developed as a replacement for Soviet 9M33-series surface-to-air missiles used by Ukrainian Osa-AKM systems. Ukrainian stocks of the original missiles had declined after intensive use during the Russia-Ukraine war, reducing the frequency with which the systems could be employed.

The specifications disclosed at MSPO indicated that the new missile retains radio-command guidance while providing a declared maximum flight speed of 600 m/s. The published engagement range and altitude remain broadly comparable to those of the 9M33M3 missile used by the Osa-AKM.

Design

The RK-19 is designed as an interceptor for the Osa-AKM surface-to-air missile system. It uses radio-command guidance, in which guidance commands are generated by the air-defense system and transmitted to the missile during flight.

The missile is carried in a transport-launch container. The missile and container together weigh 163 kg, while the container measures 3,255 mm in length, 320 mm in width, and 303 mm in height.

The RK-19 carries a 14.3 kg warhead. UNN reported that the missile uses a high-explosive fragmentation warhead and a proximity fuze. The same report described the missile as intended to engage aerodynamic targets including drones and cruise missiles.

The declared maximum interception range is 10 km, while the maximum engagement altitude is 5 km. Militarnyi reported a maximum missile speed of 600 m/s. This figure is used here because another report gave the speed as 600 km/h, which conflicts with the primary specification reproduced by Militarnyi.

Program status

The RK-19 has been publicly displayed and identified as a replacement for the Soviet 9M33 missile family used by Osa-AKM systems. Available reporting does not confirm that the missile has entered serial production or operational service.

The development is intended to sustain the usefulness of Ukraine's existing Osa-AKM launchers as stocks of original Soviet-manufactured missiles decline. The reported role includes engagement of drones, cruise missiles, and other aerodynamic targets. Production quantities and unit cost have not been disclosed.

Specifications (RK-19)

General characteristics

• Type: Surface-to-air interceptor missile
• Guidance: Radio-command guidance
• Warhead: 14.3 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead
• Fuzing: Proximity fuze
• Missile and transport-launch container mass: 163 kg
• Transport-launch container dimensions: 3,255 × 320 × 303 mm

Performance

• Maximum interception range: 10 km
• Maximum engagement altitude: 5 km
• Maximum flight speed: 600 m/s

Related equipment

• 9M33 series: Soviet surface-to-air missiles that the RK-19 is intended to replace in Ukrainian Osa-AKM systems.
• 9M33M3: Standard Osa-AKM interceptor with radio-command guidance and a maximum stated engagement range of 10 km.