Dublin’s desire for more Javelins is likely influenced by the formidable anti-tank weapon’s success in Ukraine.
The American-made Javelin anti-tank system has arguably been the most useful weapon in Ukraine’s defensive strategy against Russia. The mobile, fire-and-forget weapon has performed well on the frontlines of the war, gaining the attention of potential foreign suitors. This week, the U.S. State Department greenlit a possible deal for Ireland to procure millions of dollars’ worth of Javelin launchers and missiles in the near future. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced this approval on April 23, detailing that thirty-six Lightweight Command Launch Units, forty-four Javelin missiles, and other related equipment and training would be included in the transaction. According to the agency, the proposed deal would support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Dublin’s defensive capabilities in line with both NATO and United Nations peacemaking missions.
The Javelin
Widely considered to be the most efficient anti-tank missile system in service today, the FGM-148 Javelin is arguably the greatest tank killer. The fire-and-forget weapon was born from the U.S. Army’s Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System-Medium requirement, which was established during the Cold War. The service desired a weapon that could allow its operator to remain undetectable post-launch, a capability that the M47 Dragon did not provide. The Javelin, weighing just under fifty pounds, is man-portable and easily moved. Since this weapon system can be easily perched on the shoulder of a soldier, it has become a favorite among servicemembers. The Javelin can also be mounted to a wheeled or tracked vehicle, making it a versatile anti-tank weapon.
As described by its manufacturer Lockheed, “Using an arched top-attack profile, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the armor is weakest. To fire, the gunner places a cursor over the selected target. The Javelin command launch unit then sends a lock-on-before-launch signal to the missile.” Once the missile is launched, it is guided by an infrared seeker which helps it travel at a rate of 1,000 feet per seven seconds. If targeting an armored vehicle, the first of two high-explosive warheads explodes against the tank’s reactive armor, allowing the second warhead to pierce the target’s main armor.
With these specs in mind, the Javelin’s success in Ukraine’s defensive efforts in the ongoing Russian invasion makes sense. In fact, the anti-tank weapon is even referred to as the “Saint Javelin, Protector of Ukraine” by its operators. Numerous videos depicting the Javelin at work along the frontlines of the war, targeting and destroying Russian main battle tanks, have surfaced over the last three-plus years of warfare. Dublin’s desire to acquire more of these formidable anti-tank weapons is likely influenced by the Javelin’s successful performance in Kyiv.
According to The Irish Times, Dublin already possesses an arsenal of roughly 100 Javelin weapons. The influx of additional anti-tank systems would specifically boost the nation’s ability to serve as peacekeepers as part of the U.S. Interim Force Lebanon.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: DVIDS.
