Monday, October 2, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Javelin anti-tank missile, symbol of Ukraine’s resistance

by Agence France-Presse
March 16, 2022
in Missile News
3 min read
0
US approves anti-tank missile sale to Poland

Javelin anti-tank missile

14
VIEWS

Images of Ukrainian troops carrying Javelin missile launchers on their shoulders have flashed around the world, making the anti-tank weapon — capable of piercing the most sophisticated armor, and particularly useful in guerrilla warfare — a symbol of Ukrainian resistance to Russia’s invasion.

Western states, which want to support Ukraine militarily without entering into direct conflict with Russia, have massively stepped arms deliveries to the Ukrainian army since Moscow launched its invasion on February 24.

According to a senior US official, the Ukrainians have already received some 17,000 anti-tank weapons from various Western countries, including several hundred Javelin launchers, and Washington announced on Saturday new military aid totalling $200 million and including the anti-tank weapon.

Ukrainian forces have also received thousands of other anti-tank weapons, including British NLAWs, Swedish-made AT4s and Carl-Gustavs, German Panzerfausts and Spanish Instalaza C90s.

‘Saint Javelin’
But it is the US-made Javelin that has become the weapon of choice, to the point that a meme circulating on social media has transformed it into a religious icon borne by Mary Magdalene, an emblematic saint of the Orthodox church.

Dubbed “Saint Javelin,” protector of Ukraine, she brandishes one of the missiles under a halo in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag.

As well as becoming a symbol of support by the United States, Ukraine’s most powerful ally against Russia, the Javelin is also prized by the military for its technical characteristics.

Equipped with two explosive charges, it can pierce the most sophisticated tanks in the world, and in particular the Russian T-90, whose own explosive armor reacts to the impact of a projectile in order to reduce or even stop it penetrating the tank.

The first charge of the Javelin explodes on contact with the tank, and it then releases a second, more powerful charge, which pierces the armor.

With a range of 2,500 meters (yards), it can be used in direct attack mode to destroy a target or, if fired upwards, to shoot down a low-flying aircraft such as a helicopter.

But it can also be used in indirect attack mode, from above: the missile rises up to 160 meters in altitude and then falls vertically on to its target, like the javelins of the ancient Roman legionaries.

Like a video game
It is this trajectory from above that makes it such a formidable weapon against tanks, because the vehicles’ entry hatches are on the top side, and that is where they are most vulnerable.

Lighter than other anti-tank systems that require a tripod, the Javelin can be launched from a soldier’s shoulder.

The projectile is ejected a few meters from the launcher before the propulsion system kicks in, which allows a soldier to be less easy to spot and even allows it to be used from inside a building.

A “fire and forget” type weapon, the target can be locked in before firing and the missile is fully self-guided. The shooter can take cover even before the missile hits its target.

According to a US soldier consulted by AFP, it is very easy to use.

“If you played a video game, you can use it,” he said.

And unlike other missiles, which are generally disposable after use, the Javelin has a fire control unit that is equipped with GPS and an infrared camera with the ability to zoom in close on a target, and which is reusable any number of times.

It is on this unit that the disposable tube housing the missile is attached.

The fire command unit is valuable because “you can use it without ammunitions, to track and look” at the enemy, said the American soldier.

Manufactured by US weapons manufacturers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Javelin costs $178,000, including the launch system and missile, according to the Pentagon’s 2021 budget.

Each replacement missile costs around $78,000.

Tags: anti tank weaponsAnti-Tank missilesJavelinukraine war
Previous Post

North Korea suspected ballistic missile explodes after launch

Next Post

Slovakia sets terms for sending S-300s to Ukraine

Related Posts

North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

July 13, 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of the country's newest intercontinental ballistic missile, state media...

North Korea’s solid-fuel ICBM: five things to know

North Korea’s solid-fuel ICBM: five things to know

July 13, 2023

North Korea said Thursday it has successfully tested the Hwasong-18, its new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, for the second time....

Next Post
Iraq Examining Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese Air Defense Systems

Slovakia sets terms for sending S-300s to Ukraine

Latest Defense News

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

September 6, 2023
China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi

China warns against ‘new Cold War’ as big powers meet in SE Asia

September 6, 2023
US sending 3,000 more troops to Poland, as Ukraine tension rises: senior official

Poland to spend over 4% of GDP on defence in 2024

September 6, 2023
North Korea pursues weapons despite Covid blockade: UN report

North Korea to pay ‘price’ if it gives Russia arms: US

September 6, 2023
USAF F-16 fleet undergoing largest modification work in history

Russia says F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine will be seen as ‘nuclear’ threat

July 13, 2023
North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

July 13, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • ADF General discussion thread
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Marine Nationale (French Navy)
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • NATO
  • United States Marine Corps
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com