Javelin is overestimated: most Russian tanks are destroyed at a much long distance - Forbes

The war in Ukraine has spent almost half of the US reserves available, in addition, it is extremely expensive ammunition, the cost of one Javelin missile - $ 200,348. Undoubtedly, the FGM-148 Javelin system has become one of the stars of war in Ukraine, along with the British NLAW and the Stugpa-P of Ukrainian Development. Javelin PTRC proved its ability to destroy any Russian tank. But this does not mean that high -precision missiles are a guarantee: "One shot is one lesion.

" Javelin was adopted by the US Army in 1996 and became an engineering milestone. Small enough to carry one soldier, but is able to hit the armor at a distance of three km. According to Lockheed Martin, Javelin accuracy reaches 94%. That is, pressing the trigger almost guarantees hit. According to initial reports from Ukraine and according to one US official, 300 Javelin missiles destroyed 280 Russian vehicles (93%).

According to the Pentagon, as of October, the United States has supplied more than 10,000 Javelin, as well as 9,000 older Tow missiles. The United Kingdom put more than 12,000 PTRCs, there were also about 7,000 controlled stunga anti -tank missiles and several thousand Cobra and Kombat. During the war, another 3,000 Stung could be released. In total, it is about 45,000 managed missiles.

The Oryx project, which registers each visually confirmed destruction in the war, recorded about 8,000 destroyed Russian armored vehicles, as well as more than 2000 captured and 1000 abandoned. Probably destroyed was more. Summarizing the destroyed and abandoned machines, it turns out that 45,000 rockets hit 9000 units of armored vehicles, so the percentage of destroyed would be 20%. But the real figure will be much lower, journalists say. PTRCs were not the main means of damage.

In the Rusi report during the first year of the war, their importance was reduced. "Despite the popularity of anti -tank managed weapons, Ukraine has diluted Russia's attempt to seize Kiev thanks to the massive fire of two artillery brigades," the publication said. In the future, FPV drones became the main fighters of tanks. Current estimates show that 65% or more of armored vehicles are caused by FPV and other small drones, not controlled missiles.

Many other systems also destroy Russian armored vehicles: anti-tank mines and heavy drones-bombers "Baba Yaga". Vehicles damaged by mines usually achieve smaller drones that dump grenades into open hatches. The same applies to artillery, especially such managed weapons as Bonus. The 155-mm artillery projectile throws two self-navigated sub-seals over the target area. There are also large drones-Kamikadze. The United States put about 4000 Phoenix Ghost, most of which with anti -tank warheads.

At the beginning of the invasion, OP representatives reported Defense Express that 580 such units were approximately 350 destroyed objectives in the rear. The Pentagon also put more than 120,000 unmanaged anti -tank agents, unmanaged Bazoka. It should not be forgotten that Abrams, Leopard and Challenger tanks, or their own armored forces of Ukraine also participated in hostilities by destroying Russian cars.

It would be excessively optimistic that a third of Russian armored vehicles destroyed managed ammunition. That is, the percentage of successful shots is close to 7%, or "12 shots - one murder. " Most Russian armored vehicles are now destroyed at a much greater distance than Javelin can do. Javelin was developed more than 30 years ago, modern technology offers more opportunities at a much more affordable price.

FPV worth about $ 500 can pick up a tank at a distance of more than 16 km, while the maximum range of Javelin is less than 5 km. The Javelin operator needs to see the target to capture the rocket, FPV can be launched into the area of ​​intended goals. The drones below the load, which means that the target will need a few FPV, but at that price it is possible. Javelin, combined with small bargage ammunition, has a greater effect than Javelin alone, the authors of the publication say.