Popular Mechanics has a short article listing the good and bad news about surface to air missiles (SAMs). The type that shot down MH17 flying at 30,000 ft. over Ukraine requires trained operators and a logistics tail. Basically only governments have these, which suggests Russian troops operated the weapon in Ukraine. That's the good news, believe it or not.
The bad news is MANPADS - Man Portable Air Defense Systems. These shoulder-fired rockets have become widely available in the meltdown of post-Gaddafi Libya.
MANPADS don't require high specialization and expertise to operate, terrorists can learn enough to use these. Afghani mujahideen shot down more than a few Soviet helos with this weapon.
Incapable of hitting an airliner at cruising altitude (30,000 feet), MANPADS are deadly to low-flying planes - a category that includes the beginning and end of all flights. They are also dangerous to aircraft and helicopters flying ground support missions against hostile troops, or flying low to avoid radar. Extreme range for MANPADS is 17,000 to 23,000 feet; names you might see include Stinger, Redeye, Strela, Grail, and Grouse.
