Ukraine - Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGMs)

Ukraine is one of a small number of states capable of independently developing and producing anti-tank missile systems (ATGMs). In August 2017, the light portable missile system "Korsar" manufactured by the State Enterprise "State Kiev Design Bureau "Luch" was adopted by the Ukrainian army. The units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received more than 50 missiles with the same number of launchers.

ATGM "Corsair" with the help of laser guidance hits targets at a distance of up to 2.5 km, which corresponds to a similar distance of destruction by American anti-tank missiles FGM-148 "Javelin". Aiming at the target is carried out at a low energy level of exposure to ensure the safety of the control channel. One of the main advantages of the complex is its small size, which allows it to be carried and fire "from the shoulder" without auxiliary equipment. It also provides for the use of a special machine for installing a complex on it for the defense of prepared positions.

The PN-KU guidance device, one of the innovative developments of the Izyum Instrument-Making Plant, is responsible for the high-precision hitting of targets by the missile system. It provides missile guidance at a declared distance of up to 2.5 km with an error of approximately 250 mm. This guarantees the operator almost a jeweler's pointing accuracy.

RK-3K is used to destroy modern armored stationary and moving objects. With the help of an equipped tandem HEAT warhead, the missile can hit targets with combined, spaced or monolithic armor and provides a level of armor penetration without taking into account dynamic protection of at least 550 mm.

The RK-3OF missile is designed to destroy lightly armored objects, field-type fortifications (bunkers, bunkers) and enemy manpower. High-explosive fragmentation warhead provides through penetration of armor plates 50 mm thick.

In addition, in 2017, Luch Design Bureau supplied about 300 RK-2 missiles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the already well-proven Stugna-P anti-tank missile system of its own design and production.

This complex allows hitting highly armored targets with combined, spaced and monolithic armor, including those with dynamic protection, as well as field fortifications such as bunkers and bunkers at a distance of up to 5000 m. "Stugna-P" using guided 130-mm missiles RK-2 provides penetration of at least 800 mm armor without taking into account dynamic protection, which leaves practically no chance for any tank in the world. The complex is equipped with a semi-automatic PN-I laser beam guidance system developed by the Izyum Instrument-Making Plant, and the possibility of remote control of the missile is also provided. The mass of the complex is 15 kg.

In December 2017, the US adopted a fundamental decision to provide Ukraine with the FGM-148 Javelin ATGM. The administration of President Donald Trump approved the decision to donate 210 anti-tank missiles and 35 launchers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a total of $47 million. This gesture is aimed at demonstrating the intentions of the United States to further support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and increase the overall defense capability of the Ukrainian army. At the initial stage, the preparation of crews that will be able to professionally use this high-precision weapon will be carried out, in the future, in the event of a full-scale military offensive by the Russian Federation, the necessary allied assistance will be provided in the necessary and full volume. All this significantly reduces the offensive potential of the Russian aggressor and serves as a deterrent for him.

The third-generation portable ATGM FGM-148 Javelin is designed to destroy armored vehicles, low-flying helicopters, UAVs and other targets at a distance of up to 2500 m. It is equipped with a combined sight that allows the system to be used at any time of the day: night allows you to fire at night and in conditions of poor visibility. The weight of the sighting and launching device with a combat missile is 22.3 kg. The 127 mm caliber missile is equipped with an infrared homing head, which allows it to work on the principle of "fire and forget" and a tandem cumulative warhead that provides armor penetration behind dynamic protection - 700 mm. The missile is resistant to any means of optoelectronic suppression. The destruction of enemy armored vehicles is carried out from the upper hemisphere. The maximum flight speed of the rocket is 290 m / s. The preparation time for the shot is up to 30 seconds.

However, despite the supply of Javelin, the Ukrainian army should invest in the development of its own high-precision weapons. The same ATGM "Corsair" is much cheaper, and in terms of efficiency it is not much inferior to the American counterpart. In addition, Javelin, unlike the Corsair and Stugna, is not capable of hitting targets that are not thermally contrasting - long-term firing points, engineering structures, etc.