Thread by @Trotes936897

Quick thread on the history, capabilities, captures and alleged deliveries of the NLAW to Iran. 🧵

part 1: A quick history about the NLAW.

In 1987 the British government was looking for a replacement for the already obsolete LAW-80, so a series of studies and invitation to bid being issued in 1999 with Matra BAE Dynamics, an Anglo-French joint venture and Saab Bofors Dynamics Ltd responding to the call.

Matra relied on its "Kestrel" ATGM which was a variant of the FGM-172 SRAW (Short-Range Assault Weapon) or "Predator". With a mass of just over 9kg and an explosively formed penetrator which could even be used for direct attacks against bunkers and infantry.

SAAB ended up entering the competition with its "MBT-LAW" Which was basically the NLAW we know today. In 2002, SAAB beat the Anglo-French joint venture to the tender to supply such weapons to the British Army, With production starting in 2008.

Part 2: The main features and capabilities of NLAW

The system has a weight of 13km with a length of 1,16 meters. The missile has a width of 115mm and the HEAT warhead has a width of approximately 115mm.

The missile guidance type is Predicted line of sight (PLOS). Basically, it's pure mathematics. the soldier tracks the target with the sight on top of the turret for 3-6 seconds and the system calculates the target's predicted route along with the flight path.

Thanks to two sensors at the tip of the missile, the HEAT charge is detonated on the roof of the vehicle and not on any other type of structure. It is worth noting that the missile does not specifically target the turret, but the roof overall.

the HEAT charge is directed downwards. Effective penetration is 500mm RHA on the roof. The gunner can select between OTA (On-Top-Attack) or DA (direct attack) With direct attack being reserved for unarmored vehicles, Since the charge does not have the ability to penetrate on DA.

The system can be used from inside structures, making life easier for the troops using it. It is also compatible with thermals and night vision sights.

The system has a lifespan of up to 20 years and features insensitive ammunition to increase gunner safety. Also, because it is simpler, it is considered relatively cheaper. with a unit costing 33k dollars in 2022 according to Forbes.com

Part 3: NLAW in Ukraine

In January 2022, already anticipating the Russian invasion in February, the United Kingdom sent 2,000 NLAW ATGMs via C-17 Globemaster to equip the Ukrainian army. A fact that was acknowledged by the British Secretary of defense.

It is difficult to know exactly where the system's baptism of fire against a vehicle took place in Ukraine, but the earliest video of the system in use shows an NLAW destroying a T-72 in an ambush 10 km north of Bovary, Northeast of Kiev. Published on 03/11/22.

Part 4: NLAWs captures and passed on to Iran.

In March 2022, photos of Russian soldiers with captured NLAWs and javelins began circulating on social media, With some systems intact and others damaged.

In December 2022, Sky News reported that Russia had sent a plane with money, NLAW and JAVELIN ATGMs and other weapons to Tehran in exchange for shared 136 drones in August, But they did not wanted to reveal their source at the time because it was a sensitive matter.

If true, it could be an important milestone for Iran if they want to invest in studying the NLAW. They did so with the Spike ATGM and had the ALMAS, an ATGM that was even used against the Merkava MK4.

Seemingly not insignificant amounts of NLAW were captured by the Russians in these 3 years of war, with further study of the system potentially benefiting the Russian military in the near future through the adoption of something similar.

End: mini conclusion (I can't take it anymore)

Although the NLAW has its limitations such as not always hitting critical target points, was extremely important to the Ukrainian defense effort at the beginning of the war. It is lightweight and operated by one person and uses simpler and cheaper solutions, but not ineffective.

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Sources

army.mod.uk/learn-and-expl…

forbes.com/sites/sebastie…

thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/nlaw/

brochure---nlaw (4).pdf

youtu.be/byR9EfOTeZg?si…

youtu.be/dBHGWbfbuuk?si…

news.sky.com/story/russia-g…

kyivindependent.com/british-instru…

Any corrections will be very welcome.

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