Ukrainian soldier with RPG (Rocket propelled grenade) launcher: an effective, low-cost option SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesĪ number of U.S. Ukrainian records value their stockpiles of RPG-7 rockets at just $80 for the latest PG-7VR version. Costs are a few hundred dollars per rocket. Still used (and exported) by Russia and in service with Ukraine, this is the most basic of anti-tank weapons, but with modern ammunition it can hit targets at 300m and destroy anything except a main battle tank. However the effective range is only 300 metres, and while the one-pound warhead will penetrate more than a foot of steel, making it great for destroying personnel carriers and other light vehicles, it cannot tackle a tank head-on.įor sheer affordability, the old Russian RPG-7 series is hard to beat. and Sweden, is performs the role of the WWII Bazooka, a lightweight portable anti-armor weapon and costs just $5,435 a shot. The Swedish-made Saab AT4, sent by the U.S. If it is simply a matter of giving soldiers something to destroy armored vehicles, there are much lower-cost options. In 2020 TOW missiles were budgeted at $79k each. service by the Hellfire, it has been widely exported to allies. Dating from the early 70’s and now replaced in U.S. has sent 1,500 BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles to Ukraine the TOW is the nearest equivalent to the Stugna-P and was used in Iraq. Building them looks like one of Ukraine’s high priorities. At about $20,000 a shot though, it is far for sustainable than the Javelin for a long war, priced like a Kia Rio rather than Ferrari. It has a longer range, at 5,000 meters, but the aiming systems requires the operator to keep the target in their sights up until the missile hits the target. Ukraine’s locally-made Stugna-P anti-tank missile is a bigger beast than Javelin, tripod-mounted and requiring a crew of three. A Ukrainian serviceman with an NLAW - lighter and cheaper than Javelin but less capable AFP via Getty Images
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