The Soviet S-75 anti-aircraft missile system has its roots in the mid-1950s. It became one of the most popular and widely used air defence systems. Its various versions were employed in most local conflicts that took place in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and the first half of the 1990s.
The medium-range S-75 anti-aircraft missile system was designed based on the technical specifications and operational experience of the S-25 Berkut system, a monstrous stationary complex that had served since the mid-1950s for the defence of Moscow (approximately 3,000 launchers). The new S-75 system was not to be tied to a specific facility but was to have some degree of mobility for all its components. The work, conducted over several years, was linked to the operational experience gained and to technological progress in the field of electronics.
The project was initiated based on a Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union issued at the end of 1953. The system was designed by Design Bureau-1 (KB-1), headed by chief designer Raspletin. It cooperated with the Experimental Design Bureau-2 (OKB-2), headed by Grushin, where the missile was designed. Their joint, extremely intensive work produced rapid results. In February 1955, the experimental test range variant was ready. In April of the same year, the first launch of the V-750 missile took place. In September and October 1957, tests were conducted on a mobile variant consisting of 6 cabins, all elements of which were transported on trucks. This complex was designated SA-75 Dvina and was adopted for service on 11 December 1957 based on a Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. In the export variant SA-75M, all system equipment was placed on towed trailers (a similar arrangement was used in the subsequent S-75 Desna version). The S-75 complex consisted of 6 launchers. It could engage one target with three missiles launched at 6-second intervals. Reloading a launcher took up to 3 minutes and was performed using a special transport-loading vehicle.
The SA-75 Dvina system was introduced into the air defence of Poland in 1963. In subsequent years it was supplemented by the S-75M Volkhov system. Both systems were withdrawn from service in the 1990s, first the Dvina and then the Volkhov. In 1995, the Russians proposed a modernisation programme for users of the S-75 system to adapt the complex to modern requirements.
