Missile NLAW

The NLAW program originated from a 1997 British requirement to replace an obsolescent anti-tank system. Concurrent Swedish research in the 1990s sought a man-portable weapon for mechanized infantry units. In 2002, the two nations established a joint venture for the project's development and production. The system entered production in 2008 and was introduced into service in 2009.

The system is a fire-and-forget, disposable, man-portable missile designed for infantry use. It utilizes a soft-launch mechanism, enabling operation from confined spaces. Guidance is provided by a Predicted Line of Sight (PLOS) system; the operator tracks a moving target for several seconds, and the onboard inertial navigation system extrapolates the required intercept path. The missile carries a single shaped-charge High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead. It offers two primary engagement modes: Overfly Top Attack (OTA) and Direct Attack (DA). In OTA mode, the missile travels above the line of sight and utilizes a proximity fuze with magnetic sensors to detonate the warhead over the top armor of armored vehicles. DA mode employs a contact fuze for direct impact against non-armored vehicles, structures, and helicopters. The missile includes an auto-destruct feature triggered by flight time and is rated for operation in extreme climatic conditions.

The NLAW is widely deployed and serves as a primary anti-tank weapon for several nations. Operators include Finland, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The system saw combat use during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was supplied to Ukrainian forces by the United Kingdom and Luxembourg to counter armored advances. Ukrainian military reports attributed a portion of Russian armored vehicle losses to the system. During the conflict, Russian and pro-Russian forces captured several launchers, with reports indicating some units were subsequently transferred to Iran.