NLAW For The Army
SHAH ALAM: IT appears that the Army had ordered a batch of Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) developed by Sweden and United Kingdom. This was revealed as the Defence Ministry issued a request for tender to multi-modal transport operator (MTO) to ship the missiles back to Malaysia.
Saab NLAW
Like the earlier order for the LAW and MAPAM this was the first time I had heard about the acquisition of the anti-tank missiles.
A soldier preparing to fire the NLAW. Note the red dot sight. SAAB
Saab announced an order for the NLAW from an undisclosed customer back in December, 2016 with deliveries scheduled for 2017. Checks with my sources indicated that the undisclosed customer may well have been Malaysia.
Saab NLAW. Saab
As the NLAW is manufactured by Thales Air Defence in the UK, it is likely that this could also be part of the Starstreak deal in 2015. Under the deal Thales agreed to buy back the retired Starburst missiles and launchers. Part of the proceeds of the buy back led to the purchase of the Guardians MRAP for the Malaysian contingent in Lebanon.
Unlike the Carl Gustav and RPG-7, the NLAW can be fired safely in a confined space. SAAB
From Saab
Destroy the most advanced Main Battle Tanks wherever and whenever it appears.
NLAW (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) is the latest shoulder-launched, Overfly Top Attack, anti-tank missile system that makes it the true tank killer for light forces that operate dismounted in all environments including built up areas.
Selectable Overfly Top Attack (OTA) against armoured targets and Direct Attack (DA) against non armoured targets such as other vehicles and vessels or enemy troops inside buildings.
PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight) guidance and OTA delivers easy handling, accuracy and high kill probability.
Specifications of the NLAW
Single non-expert soldier system, Range 20-800m
PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight) Guidance, Fire & forget
OTA (Overflying Top Attack) and DA (Direct Attack) firing modes
Un-jammable proximity fuze, High SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability)
Night vision capability, Confined space capability
Maintenance free, 20 years shelf life
IM (Insensitive Munition), Design for all Climate conditions and environments
From the specifications, the NLAW is looking very similar to the MBDA Eryx, previously in service with the GGK. As the Army infantry unit’s main shoulder launch weapons are the RPG-7 (section level) and Carl Gustaff recoiless rifle (support platoon) it is likely that the GGK will be the main operator of the NLAW together with the LAW.
An Army soldier firing a RPG-7 at the LKT 2018. Note the back blast.
It is also likely that a small batch of the NLAW and LAW will also make their way to the leading elements of the 10th Para Brigade as a last ditch defence against all sorts of targets.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
Leave a Reply