MILAN anti-tank missile systems for the Ukrainian army
Calculation of ATGM MILAN ER in position. Photo MBDA Systems
Foreign states are actively supplying the Ukrainian army with various types of anti-tank weapons. Several countries at once promised to send French-German-made MILAN man-portable missile systems to Ukraine. To date, these products have come to Ukrainian territory and are being mastered by personnel. In the near future this weapon may get to the forefront, but the possibility of its effective use is questionable.
foreign aid
Back in late February, European countries began to announce plans to provide military-technical assistance to Ukraine. France was one of the first to disclose such information. Then it was reported that in the near future she would transfer several dozen anti-tank systems from the warehouses of her army. The type of products was not mentioned, but it could be assumed that these were MILAN complexes.
Italy soon announced similar intentions. She planned to send a variety of infantry weapons, incl. MILAN products and other anti-tank weapons. At the same time, the number of weapons and the timing of their delivery were not specified again.
Reliable information about the arrival of MILAN anti-tank systems to Ukraine appeared only a few days ago. The American television channel CNN showed one of the Ukrainian units, where personnel are being trained with the participation of foreign instructors. In particular, they showed the process of training operators of anti-tank systems. Judging by what was shown, Ukraine received an ATGM of one of the old modifications, such as MILAN 2/2T.
The process of training Ukrainian operators. Frame from CNN / ChDambiev report
The total number of MILANs transferred remains unknown. From the available data, it follows that Ukraine received at least several dozen launchers and containers with missiles. Information about the receipt of complexes on the front line and about their combat use has not yet been received. However, it can be expected that they will be used in the very near future.
"Light Infantry Rocket"
The MILAN complex (Missile d'Infanterie Léger Antichar - "Light infantry anti-tank missile") has been developed since the early sixties by order of the armed forces of Germany and France. The project involved several companies from two countries; in the early seventies, on the eve of the start of mass production, they created the Euromissile consortium. Now MBDA Systems is developing a family of complexes.
The development of the project was completed in the early seventies, after which MILAN went to the test. Already in 1972, the ATGM was adopted by the customer countries. Serial production for their armies and the promotion of the complex on the international market began.
In parallel with mass production, the Euromissile consortium modernized the complex. In 1984, the upgraded MILAN 2 ATGM with an improved larger-caliber missile was adopted. In 1993, a modification of MILAN 2T with a tandem warhead appeared. A few years later, MILAN 3 was created, which is characterized by increased resistance to interference. On its basis, at the beginning of the tenth years, MILAN ER was completed with an improved range.
Rocket MILAN first version. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Initially, MILAN ATGMs were produced only by enterprises from Euromissile. Subsequently, several foreign countries acquired a license for production. For half a century, they all produced at least 10-12 thousand launchers and about 350-400 thousand missiles. MILAN entered service with fifty countries on all continents; some of the operators have already managed to abandon such weapons and switch to newer models.
MILAN complexes have been repeatedly used in various armed conflicts. In particular, the Argentine army used them during the war in the Falklands. A certain number of such anti-tank systems in the eighties came to the Afghan Mujahideen and were used against Soviet armored vehicles. Since the late seventies, MILAN has been regularly used in conflicts in the Middle East. Now Ukraine has become a new theater for them.
Technical features
MILAN is a second-generation man-portable anti-tank missile system designed to deal with a variety of protected mobile and fixed targets. The ATGM is transported by the crew disassembled or mounted on various vehicles.
In all modifications, MILAN consists of a disposable transport and launch container with a missile, a launcher with a sight and the necessary electronics, as well as a machine for placement on a position or on a carrier. Depending on the modification, the complex has a mass of 35-37 kg.
MILAN 2 missile with improved larger caliber warhead. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The key component of the complex is a launcher with a control system on which the TPK missile is installed. The installation is equipped with optics for searching for targets and has the necessary electronics. Missile guidance is carried out in a semi-automatic mode. The operator holds the aiming mark on the target; automation tracks the missile along the tracer, sends commands to it and keeps it on the line of sight. The transmission of commands is carried out by unwinding wire.
The MILAN missile is made in a body of complex shape: between the head and tail compartments of a larger caliber there is a reduced central assembly with folding wings. The first version of the rocket had a diameter of 103 mm. After the modernization and introduction of the new warhead, the caliber increased to 115 mm and subsequently remained at this level. Rockets of various modifications have a length of 770 mm; TPK length - from 900 to 1200 mm. The mass of early missiles did not exceed 7 kg, in later projects it went beyond 10 kg.
Ammunition of all versions are equipped with a marching solid propellant engine. The rocket exits the TPK at a speed of 75 m/s and accelerates to 200 m/s in flight. For all major modifications of the rocket, the flight range reaches 2 km. In the latest MILAN ER project, it was increased to 3 km.
The first version of the MILAN missile was equipped with a single cumulative warhead with a penetration of 350 mm. The new 115-mm warhead for the MILAN 2 rocket pierced 800 mm. The tandem warhead for MILAN 2T and MILAN 3 shows similar characteristics, but is capable of hitting armored vehicles with dynamic protection. The latest modification of MILAN ER penetrates 1000 mm behind the DZ.
MILAN ER rocket launch. Photo MBDA Systems
Manufacturers note the high reliability and efficiency of all ATGMs of the MILAN family. Over the decades of operation in range and combat conditions, more than 50 thousand launches of missiles of all types have been performed. More than 90% of the missiles successfully hit the target.
Advantages and disadvantages
The first version of the MILAN ATGM appeared and entered service half a century ago. Subsequently, several new modifications were developed with various advantages, and the last of them appeared at the beginning of the last decade. MILAN ER can still be considered a modern and effective anti-tank weapon - unlike its predecessors.
The latest versions of MILAN complexes have several important features and advantages. They include a fairly advanced launcher with a day and night channel and effective controls. During operation, the installation does not unmask itself with radiation, and the control is carried out by wire. This makes it difficult to detect the launch, intercept or suppress the missile. In the latest modifications, it was also possible to get rid of the risks of optoelectronic suppression.
The current modifications of MILAN 3 and MILAN ER are equipped with a tandem warhead that penetrates dynamic protection and 800-1000 mm of homogeneous armor. According to various estimates, this is enough to defeat the frontal projection of all modern major tanks. It is also guaranteed to penetrate the tank's armor from other angles or defeat armored vehicles of other classes with less powerful protection.
MILAN ER on a VBL armored car. The ATGM can be removed and used from the ground. Photo MBDA Systems
There are also disadvantages. First of all, these are the limited flight characteristics of the rocket. The flight speed does not exceed 200 m / s, and the most advanced modification flies only 3 km. In this regard, even the latest MILAN ER is inferior to other modern foreign-designed ATGMs. As a result, undesirable restrictions and risks arise.
Despite all the upgrades, MILAN still belongs to the second generation of anti-tank systems using semi-automatic missile guidance. The need to control the missile until it hits potentially threatens the safety of the operator. Due to the low flight data of the missile, such risks increase - the enemy has more time to detect and defeat him.
Limited danger
Early modifications of the MILAN anti-tank missile system have long been obsolete. Newer versions still retain limited potential, and the latest modifications are quite modern and effective examples. MILAN 3 and MILAN ER differ in a specific ratio of performance characteristics, but are capable of attacking and hitting different targets.
The appearance of MILAN products in Ukraine should not be ignored. Such anti-tank systems, as well as other imported products, can pose a danger to our equipment. At the same time, the risks associated with them should not be overestimated. The use of relevant tactics and methods will dramatically reduce the degree of such a threat.
In addition, it is necessary to remember the specifics of the current Special Operation. Like many other foreign weapons, MILAN anti-tank systems can be destroyed during transportation or after arrival at the combat unit. And some of them have a chance not to get hit and become a trophy of the army of Russia or the republics of Donbass.
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