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Surface-to-Air Missiles ยทThomson-CSF / Matra

Missile Shahine

French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1990, using automatic command to line of sight guidance.

Range
12km
Max speed
3,457km/h
Produced
6,600units
Avg unit price
$12million
Technical Specifications
WarheadHigh Explosive
Warhead weight13 kg (29 lb)
Diameter156 mm (6.1 in)
Span590 mm (23.2 in)
Length3,150 mm (124.0 in)
Flight altitude6,100 m (20,013 ft)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
Range 12 km (7 mi)
Max. speed3,457 km/h (Mach 3.5)
Shahine scale diagram
Shahine โ€” Surface-to-Air 1.75 m 3.15 m
Range
12 km
Speed
Mach 3.5
Weight
100 kg
Warhead
13 kg
Operators
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช United Arab Emiratesยท ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ญ Bahrainยท ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Chileยท ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ Egyptยท ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Finlandยท ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท Franceยท ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greeceยท ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท Iranยท ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Koreaยท ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡พ Libyaยท ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Moroccoยท ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ Omanยท ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Pakistanยท ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น Portugalยท ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabiaยท ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Ukraineยท ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ South Africa
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Shahine vs

Description

The Shahine is a mobile surface-to-air missile system developed as a variant of the Crotale to provide air defense for armored units. It entered service in 1980.

The system is mounted on an AMX-30 armored chassis and features a six-missile firing unit. It utilizes the R.460 missile, which is propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor. Guidance is provided via automatic command to line-of-sight, using radar and infrared search and track (IRST) to monitor the target and the missile simultaneously. The missile is equipped with a forward-directed blast warhead. Detonation is initiated by an infrared proximity fuse, which was updated to a radio frequency fuse in later models. The system is designed to intercept cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and low-flying fighter aircraft.

Saudi Arabia operates the system. Shahine units were utilized during the 1991 Gulf War, where they participated in the liberation of Kuwait City in February 1991.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of missile is the Shahine?
The Shahine is a surface-to-air missile developed by France. It entered service in 1990.
What is the range of the Shahine?
The Shahine has a maximum range of approximately 12 km (7 miles). Effective range varies with launch platform, altitude, and flight profile.
How fast is the Shahine?
The Shahine reaches a maximum speed of 3,457 km/h (Mach 2.8).
What warhead does the Shahine carry?
The Shahine carries a high explosive warhead weighing 13 kg.
How is the Shahine guided?
The Shahine uses automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which countries use the Shahine?
The Shahine is in service with 17 countries: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Chile, and 14 other countries.
How much does a Shahine cost?
The Shahine has an estimated unit cost of approximately $12 million. Actual prices vary by variant, quantity ordered, and support packages.
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 23 July 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. JUL 232026 Updated Sources and cross-references refreshed
  2. JAN 252026 Updated Range and max speed updated
  3. JAN 192026 Updated Description, max speed and 6 more fields added
  4. JAN 182026 Updated Sources and cross-references refreshed