The most important experience of FAPLA’s earlier big offensives against UNITA’s strongholds in south-east Angola was that its ground units needed improved mobile air cover to operate offensively. Correspondingly, Luanda acquired Soviet-made 9K33M2 Osa-AK (ASCC/NATO-codename ‘SA-8 Gecko’) mobile air defence systems. By July 1987, two SA-8 batteries of the 52nd Air Defence Brigade were defending Cuito Cuanavale, while one was protecting each of the two tactical groups advancing on Mavinga. Each included four six-wheeled TELARs carrying six 9A33BM3 semi-active radar homing missiles in their transport containers, which acted as launchers. As far as is known, all were painted in olive green overall and wore no markings at all. Known to South African intelligence, their presence was felt to a degree where they severely curtailed the SAAF’s combat operations during the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. (Artwork by David Bocquelet)