Ireland to buy new ATGM?

Victor

http://defence-data.com/archive/page12530.htm

The Government of Ireland has asked the United States for a possible sale of 60 Javelin anti-tank missile systems. The request includes launch command units, 100 Javelin rounds and various logistic, training and support items. The Irish Army will replace their Milan anti-tank systems with Javelin. Raytheon, as the prime contractor will benefit from the $26 million cost.

klong

I think the milans are good kit.....so why replace them?
Why not some aircraft for a change?

Fidelis

That's quite surprising to hear. Considering that the Milans are more than capable of dispatching any MBT.

And only 100 missiles ? That's wishful thinking. I suppose we'll have another episode of the Milan where only 2 people in the defence forces will have actually fired the weapon in the space of ten years :rolleyes:

Victor

Link for Milan http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/milan.htm

Link for Javelin http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/javelin.htm

Javelin			Milan


Weight: 		28 kg			6.73kg + 16.4kg firing post
Length: 		1760 mm			918mm
Range (max): 		2000 m 			2000m
Range (min):		75 m (min)		400 m
Warhead Type: 		Heat			??
Warhead Weight: 	8.4 kg			1.79kg
Armor Penetration: 	600+ mm			352mm
Launching Platforms: 	man portable crew of 2	man portable crew of 2
Guidance:		IIR			SACLOS

Fidelis

I wouldn't like to be the unlucky bastárds who get picked to carry the Javelin firing post. It's an extra 6kg heavier than the Milan. Is it possible that they're for the Mowags ? I only know of .50's being fitted to the apc's but you never know...

Magwitch

Even though the Milan is an excellent and well tried weapon, it only makes sense to keep up to date with improvements in anti-armour developments as armour improves. The Milan may not be continued indefinitly and even if it was it would not be equiped with the latest warheads. They are all nice to have, but who are we going to shoot them at?:rolleyes:

klong

Giant 3-D cardboard cutouts of the next Minister for Defence who cuts troop levels/funding etc, etc