Rather than being reliant on one central radar for the whole system as in SA-6 Kub, each Buk transporter erector launcher (TEL) has its own fire control radar, moving from TEL to TELAR. This new design departed fundamentally from the 2K12 / SA-6 Gainful in system configuration and removed the bottleneck in the firing rate of the 2K12 / SA-6A Gainful, in which each TEL depended on the tracking and illumination provided by the 1S91 Straight Flush.
The BUK-M1 surface-to-air medium-range missile system is designed to engage state-of-the-art and prospective strategic and theatre-range aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters and other aerodynamic targets within the whole range of their operation in intensive clutter and jamming environment, and to fight against LANCE-type theatre ballistic missiles, HARM anti-radar missiles, other high precision elements of air- and land-based weapons, and to engage surface- and land-based radar targets. Possessing high maneuverability and multi-purpose capabilities, this surface-to-air missile system ensures air defense of the troops, military installations, major administrative, industrial centers and other targets.