Kh-20 vs Crotale
The Kh-20 and the Crotale are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-20 has a range of 600 km — 40:1 the Crotale's 15 km. The Kh-20 reaches 2,450 km/h vs 4,284 km/h for the Crotale. The Kh-20 carries a 2300 kg warhead vs 13 kg for the Crotale. Launch weight is 5,878 kg for the Kh-20 vs 95 kg for the Crotale. The Kh-20 uses Inertial with remote correction over radio guidance, while the Crotale relies on Radar et infrarouge. The Kh-20 has been produced in 130 units vs 6,600 for the Crotale. The Kh-20 entered service 11 years before the Crotale (1960 vs 1971).
| Soviet air-to-surface missile, entered service in 1960, utilizing inertial guidance with radio correction. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Russian State Industry |
| Service year | 1960 |
| Number produced | 130 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1971, uses radar and infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Thales |
| Service year | 1971 |
| Number produced | 6,600 units |
| Estimated unit price | $12 million |
| Range | 600.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 5,878 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 2300.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 14.95 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 1810 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial with remote correction over radio |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 15.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 95 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 13.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.34 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Radar et infrarouge |
| Warhead type | Préfragmentée à gerbe focalisée |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Kh-20 has a longer range at 600 km compared to the Crotale's 15 km.
Which is faster, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Crotale is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the Kh-20's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Kh-20 carries a larger warhead at 2,300 kg compared to the Crotale's 13 kg.
Which is heavier, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Kh-20 is heavier at 5,878 kg compared to the Crotale's 95 kg.
Which is longer, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Kh-20 is longer at 14.95 meters compared to the Crotale's 2.34 meters.
What guidance systems do the Kh-20 and Crotale use?
The Kh-20 uses Inertial with remote correction over radio guidance while the Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance.
Which entered service first, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Kh-20 entered service first in 1960, 11 years before the Crotale which entered service in 1971.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kh-20 or Crotale?
The Crotale has been produced in greater numbers with 6,600 units compared to 130 units of the Kh-20.