Ground Warfare

Ukraine Armed Forces Get New Batch of FGM-148 Javelin Anti-tank Missiles

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On October 23, a third shipment of assistance, directed by President Biden to Ukraine, arrived in Ukraine. This shipment contains lethal assistance, including additional Javelin anti-armor systems, for the front line defenders of Ukraine. This donation demonstrates the continued United States commitment to enabling Ukraine to more effectively defend itself against Russia’s aggression, as does more than $400 million USD this year and $2.5 billion in total support to Ukraine’s armed forces since 2014. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said in a statement on that shortly after Secretary of Defense Llyod Austin’s successful travel to Ukraine.

On June 16, as part of a pilot project under the US Government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, Ukraine Armed Forces received the first consignment of cargo under the contract signed in December 2019, namely missiles for FGM-148E Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems and auxiliary equipment totalling more than $ 27 million. FGM-148E missiles which are one of the latest modifications of Javelin system’s anti-tank missiles were delivered for the needs of the Ukraine Armed Forces. Delivery of other military goods in accordance with the agreements will be provided in 2021 – 2022.

Ukraine Armed Forces Get New Batch of FGM-148 Javelin Anti-tank Missiles
More than $60 million worth of Javelin systems, ammunition and first-aid kit is going to Ukraine as part of the U.S. security aid program with the country (Photo by U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine)

The FGM-148 Javelin is an American man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile fielded to replace the M47 Dragon anti-tank missile in US service. It uses automatic infrared guidance that allows the user to seek cover immediately after launch, as opposed to wire-guided systems, like the Dragon, which require the user to actively guide the weapon throughout the engagement. It can reach a peak altitude of 150 m (500 ft) in top-attack mode and 60 m (190 ft) in direct-fire mode.

The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles (attacking the top armor, which is generally thinner), but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings, targets inside the minimum top-attack engagement range, and targets under obstructions. The missile also has the ability to engage helicopters in the direct attack mode. It is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker. The tandem warhead is fitted with two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor.

US Department of Defense Resumes Ukraine Military Aid with $250 Million Payment
A delegation of senior Ukrainian military officials observes a U.S. Army unit currently conducting training at the combat training center at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany on May 9, 2017. A soldier demonstrates how to use the Javelin anti-tank missile system. Under the mentorship of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, currently led by the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Ukrainian military is working towards establishing a NATO interoperable Combat Training Center by 2020. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kayla Christopher, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)
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