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Secret to Ukraine's fierce resistance? Javelin antitank missiles
https://asia.nikkei.com ^ | March 2, 2022

Posted on 03/02/2022 7:08:06 AM PST by 11th_VA

TOKYO -- Despite fielding a smaller army, Ukrainian forces have put up a tougher response than anticipated to Russia's invasion thanks in no small part to the multitude of Javelin missiles provided by Western nations.

Measuring 1.2 meters in length, the Javelin can be transported and fired by a single soldier. Yet the weapon, made by American contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, has enough firepower to pierce tank armor from 2.5 km away.

The traits have made the Javelin the weapon of choice for repelling tank invasions in urban settings. A Javelin operator can covertly approach and engage a target in that setting. The weapons could prove even more crucial as a 65 km long tank convoy moved its way toward Kyiv on Tuesday.

During President Barack Obama's term in office, the U.S. did not supply Ukraine with Javelins when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. But under President Donald Trump, Washington reversed course and decided to equip Ukraine with the weapons.

Advanced light weaponry that can inflict significant damage on enemy equipment is Ukraine's ace in the hole. The U.S. and European nations have supplied Ukraine with a variety of hardware.

Germany, among others, have decided to provide such arms as surface-to-air Stinger missiles and antitank missiles. Great Britain is believed to have provisioned NLAW, the next-generation antitank missile system developed jointly with Sweden.

Poland is preparing to deliver its homegrown portable air-defense missile system, the PZR Grom. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have each sent portable missiles to Ukraine.

To counter the invasion, Ukraine has seemingly chosen to adopt asymmetric warfare, which involves unconventional tactics when one side is severely outgunned by the other. As a result, Russia remained bogged down Tuesday in a war that was anticipated to be over within a few days, but has stretched to nearly a week.

In Ukraine, an image of a religious icon holding a Javelin launcher -- dubbed "St. Javelin" -- is circulating on social media. The depiction has come to symbolize the resistance.

The presence of Javelins and other light arms is not expected to compensate for Russia's overwhelming military capabilities, according to Gen. Kiyofumi Iwata, the retired chief of staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

"If Russia concentrates forces on Kyiv, it is likely that Ukraine will ultimately yield," said Iwata, adding that Russia's fierce onslaught appears to be aimed at gaining an upper hand in cease-fire talks.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Russia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: antitank; deathtoputin; estonia; javelin; latvia; lithuania; lockheedmartin; poland; putinsbuttboys; putinworshippers; raytheon; russia; russianaggression; ukraine; waronterror
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During President Barack Obama's term in office, the U.S. did not supply Ukraine with Javelins when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. But under President Donald Trump, Washington reversed course and decided to equip Ukraine with the weapons.


1 posted on 03/02/2022 7:08:06 AM PST by 11th_VA
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To: 11th_VA

“But under President Donald Trump, Washington reversed course and decided to equip Ukraine with the weapons.”

Trump took action 4 years ago to protect Ukraine.

Well Done Trump


2 posted on 03/02/2022 7:09:48 AM PST by DannyTN
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To: 11th_VA

3 posted on 03/02/2022 7:12:01 AM PST by 11th_VA (I can still remember an America where dissent was the highest form of patriotism.)
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To: DannyTN

Bump that.


4 posted on 03/02/2022 7:12:02 AM PST by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.)
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To: 11th_VA
has enough firepower to pierce tank armor from 2.5 km away.

This is figurative, right? These are not heat seeking hence, no way a foot soldier could hit a moving target at that distance.

5 posted on 03/02/2022 7:12:12 AM PST by LouAvul (The liberal's mantra: " I don't understand why this has to be so hard.")
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To: LouAvul

They are heat seeking fire and forget.


6 posted on 03/02/2022 7:13:43 AM PST by Houserino
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To: 11th_VA

Javelin missile cost = $175,000 +/-

Russian tank T-90 cost = $4.5 mil +/-

Gets spendy fast.


7 posted on 03/02/2022 7:14:33 AM PST by BBQToadRibs2
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To: 11th_VA

I would not want to be in a vehicle on the receiving end of a Javelin.

I would take a few 401 AMC Javelins, though.


8 posted on 03/02/2022 7:15:42 AM PST by SaveFerris (The Lord, The Christ and The Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth - http://www.BiblicalJesusChrist.Com/)
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To: SaveFerris

Going bear hunting?


9 posted on 03/02/2022 7:19:33 AM PST by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.)
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To: 11th_VA

That’s all well and good, but it looks like the Russians are already adapting their plan. They are pulling back their ground game and starting to destroy cities from the air. The anti-tank weapons will be great for stalling convoys and diminishing ground assaults, but the glaring need will be for SAMs now. Just my very non-expert observation


10 posted on 03/02/2022 7:20:13 AM PST by z3n (Kakistocracy)
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To: LouAvul
This is figurative, right? These are not heat seeking hence, no way a foot soldier could hit a moving target at that distance.

It is not figurative. There is onboard computer guidance in the missile itself.

11 posted on 03/02/2022 7:20:32 AM PST by Go Gordon
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To: DannyTN

Thank you PDJT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


12 posted on 03/02/2022 7:20:51 AM PST by bantam
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To: Houserino

“They are heat seeking fire and forget.”

Are there any “thermal chaff” counter-measures that can be used to confuse them?


13 posted on 03/02/2022 7:22:35 AM PST by Stosh
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To: DannyTN
“But under President Donald Trump, Washington reversed course and decided to equip Ukraine with the weapons.”

Said no MSM outlet, ever.

14 posted on 03/02/2022 7:22:43 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: LouAvul
"These are not heat seeking hence, no way a foot soldier could hit a moving target at that distance."

You need to do more research - Google is your friend.

15 posted on 03/02/2022 7:23:00 AM PST by Chainmail (Frater magnus te spectat)
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To: Jim Robinson

With a 401 AMC Javelin, I’d probably go for a double-cheeseburger 🍔 and fries!

OTOH, there’s a video out there of what a Javelin does to an old T-72.

😳😳😳


16 posted on 03/02/2022 7:23:01 AM PST by SaveFerris (The Lord, The Christ and The Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth - http://www.BiblicalJesusChrist.Com/)
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To: Stosh
"Are there any “thermal chaff” counter-measures that can be used to confuse them?"

Just asking for a Russian friend?

17 posted on 03/02/2022 7:24:24 AM PST by Chainmail (Frater magnus te spectat)
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To: Stosh

No idea, sorry.


18 posted on 03/02/2022 7:24:58 AM PST by Houserino
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To: Chainmail

Good one! Just curious - but if I can think of it, I’m pretty sure they can as well.


19 posted on 03/02/2022 7:29:21 AM PST by Stosh
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To: z3n
That’s all well and good, but it looks like the Russians are already adapting their plan. They are pulling back their ground game and starting to destroy cities from the air. The anti-tank weapons will be great for stalling convoys and diminishing ground assaults, but the glaring need will be for SAMs now. Just my very non-expert observation

No, the Russians are still trying to encircle the major cities in preparation to assaults.

but the glaring need will be for SAMs now.

Germany is sending 500 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. US is sending stingers. Poland its local modern version.

20 posted on 03/02/2022 7:30:26 AM PST by tlozo
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