JAVELIN MISSILES ACHIEVE SAINTHOOD IN UKRAINE
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently initiated his "special military operation," and his target, as we all know, is Ukraine. From Feb. 24, 2022, the Russian military has breached Ukraine in hopes of deposing its government. Fortunately, Ukraine has held its own by utilizing advanced weaponry like Javelin missiles. Related read:Ukraine and Russia WWI Treaty Casts Large Shadow Amid Current Crisis
Javelin Missiles Are Tank Destroyers
The Javelin anti-tank missile, otherwise known as the FGM-148, has been in effect since 1996 and continues to be advanced for greater use. The Javelin FGM-148 is approximately 49 pounds and provides a unique fire-and-forget capability, allowing military personnel to leave obsolete equipment after firing it. The operator can target and launch the missiles using the connected Command Launch Unit. The missile is then spring-ejected before being ignited and sent flying through the air at 1,000 feet per seven seconds toward the target, guided by an infrared seeker on the nose. According to the Military Times, Javelin missiles can puncture steel from 23.5 inches to 31.5 inches thick. So how is this feat even possible? There are two high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads connected to the rocket, and once contact is made, the first warhead detonates the reactive armor, making way for the second warhead to hit the tank's primary armor. It has an effective range of 1.5 miles, and its warheads travel 213 feet before being armed. Javelins can fire missiles from a top-down attack, which is why Ukraine has effectively taken out so many Russian tanks.
Javelin Missile Costs
Javelin missiles are expensive, given their advanced features and high efficacy rate. As reported by The Economic Times, each Javelin costs around $178,000, including the launch system and missile, and each replacement missile costs $78,000. The Defense Department has shifted $809 million in 2022 fiscal funds to the Army for Javelin procurement. Many of these Javelins will be headed to Ukraine, and funds to produce these weapons come from the Ukraine Replacement Transfer Fund put in effect by Congress in March. As of April, over 5,500 Javelins have been sent to Ukraine.
St. Javelin Protector of Ukraine
Javelin missiles have taken on a new meaning in Ukraine and to those who support the country. Pushed by the fact that the Javelin has provided great tactical support against Russian tanks, it has become synonymous with protection and preservation. The name "St. Javelin Protector of Ukraine" came to fruition thanks to Christian Borys after he created an image known as "Saint Javelin,” a picture depicting the Virgin Mary holding a US-model FGM-148. Borys has raised a million dollars, and he plans to donate the money to humanitarian charities, specifically for Ukraine. According to the BBC, Borys “plans for the ‘Saint Javelin’ campaign to become a full-time effort and hopes to hire permanent staff so it can continue to support reconstruction efforts for decades after the current conflict ends.”
A Javelin Missile Ukraine Desperately Needs
The use of the Javelin missile provides the Ukrainian military with a perfect mix of strategy and tactics. By utilizing the top-down attack, soldiers can effectively target Russian tanks at their weakest point: the top of the tank. As the war continues, so, too, will the ways in which military personnel approach battle. This can be seen in Ukraine's use of the Javelin. Javelin missiles are helping Ukraine and giving them a robust tactical advantage over the Russian military. Given it only takes one infantry personnel to fire, is light, has a fire-and-forget capability, and provides different missile trajectories, Russia has plateaued in its efforts to depose Ukraine's government. The use of the Javelin is vital because it shows just how difficult it is for a country to invade another, especially as modern military weapons are created and used. More like this:Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles Making Their Way to Ukraine
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