Top 10 Anti-Tank Missiles

What Are the Top 10 Anti-Tank Missiles?

Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) form the spearhead of infantry against modern main battle tanks. These man-portable or vehicle-mounted systems combine precise guidance methods with powerful warheads to destroy armored targets at long ranges. Fire-and-forget weapons such as the Javelin allow the gunner to seek cover immediately after launch, while laser-guided or wire-guided systems like Stugna-P and Metis-M1 offer more cost-effective alternatives.

This article is based on thorough research into the latest generation of anti-tank weapons. The ranking presented here introduces ten notable ATGMs, explains why each one deserves its place, gives approximate prices where available, and highlights the key features that make these weapons indispensable on contemporary battlefields.

List of the Top 10 Anti-Tank Missiles

Details on the Top 10 Anti-Tank Missiles

Note: The ranking below is based on a balanced assessment. It takes into account technical performance data, combat experience, international proliferation, penetration power, cost and adaptability. Prices are estimates and vary depending on variant, contract and national currency.

1. FGM-148 Javelin (USA) – approx. $216,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #1: The Javelin is arguably the best-known man-portable fire-and-forget weapon. Thanks to its infrared seeker, which allows the operator to seek cover immediately after launch, it revolutionised anti-tank fire. The tandem HEAT warhead can defeat modern explosive reactive armor and offers significant overmatch. Newer versions increase the range from 2.5 km up to 4 km and, despite the comparatively high price, it remains one of the most reliable systems in the world.

Main features:

• Man-portable (≈22 kg) and, thanks to soft-launch, can be fired from inside buildings.
• Infrared seeker with selectable top-attack or direct-attack mode.
• Tandem HEAT warhead defeats ERA and heavy armor.
• Digital interface allows training with simulations.

2. Spike Family (Israel) – from approx. €195,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #2: The Spike family by Israeli company Rafael covers a huge mission spectrum with variants from MR through LR2 and ER2 to NLOS. Most models combine electro-optical sensors with a fibre-optic or radio data link so the gunner can re-designate the target after launch (fire-observe-update). Range extends from 2.5 km (MR) to 10 km (ER2) and, for Spike NLOS, even up to 50 km. With selectable tandem HEAT or multi-purpose warheads, Spike can engage modern armor and bunkers alike.

Main features:

• Modular family; variants for infantry, vehicles, helicopters and naval platforms.
• Fire-and-forget as well as fire-observe-update via fibre-optic cable or radio link.
• Tandem HEAT or multi-purpose warheads with high penetration.
• Worldwide use in more than 39 countries; over 30,000 missiles produced.

3. NLAW (Sweden/UK) – approx. $33,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #3: NLAW combines low weight with the ability to destroy even the most modern main battle tanks. Weighing under 13 kg, it is designed for single soldiers and offers two attack modes: Overfly Top Attack against tanks and direct attack against lightly armored targets. Its PLOS (Predicted Line of Sight) guidance enables target acquisition in about five seconds, after which the missile flies autonomously and strikes from above.

Main features:

• Compact disposable system with low signature, ideal for urban operations.
• PLOS guidance: the gunner tracks the target briefly, the missile calculates the lead angle.
• Tandem warhead penetrates more than 500 mm of armor.
• Low unit price and high availability.
• Disposable launcher with 20-year shelf life and no maintenance requirements.

4. 9M133 Kornet (Russia) – approx. $26,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #4: The Russian Kornet family is one of the most powerful laser-guided anti-tank weapons available. It reaches a range of 5.5 km by day and 4.5 km by night; newer extended-range variants can reach up to 10 km. The tandem HEAT warhead penetrates 1,100 – 1,300 mm of rolled homogeneous armor and can alternatively be replaced by a thermobaric warhead. Despite its size, Kornet remains in high demand worldwide thanks to its relatively low price.

Main features:

• Laser beam-riding guidance with high resistance to electronic countermeasures.
• Day and night sights; optionally vehicle- and turret-mounted.
• Variants with ranges up to 10 km and optional thermobaric warhead.
• Cost-effective compared with many Western systems.

5. TOW 2 (USA) – approx. $100,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #5: As one of the oldest ATGMs still in production, the wire-guided TOW family has proven its reliability in numerous conflicts. The latest TOW 2A/B variants use tandem HEAT or EFP warheads and achieve a range of 3.75 km, while the Aero version reaches 4.5 km. Due to its relatively low flight speed, however, the gunner must maintain target tracking until impact.

Main features:

• SACLOS guidance via wire or radio; robust against electronic countermeasures.
• Tandem HEAT warhead for reactive armor or EFP warhead for top-attack profiles.
• Compared to Javelin, relatively affordable for its size, but more expensive than many Russian systems.

6. Akeron MP (France) – approx. €120,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #6: Formerly known as „Missile Moyenne Portée“ (MMP), this French 5th-generation system combines an uncooled IR sensor and TV camera with a fibre-optic data link, allowing the gunner to switch targets or abort the shot mid-flight. With a 4 km range and a multi-purpose warhead, Akeron MP is suited not only against tanks, but also against infrastructure and fortified positions.

Main features:

• Fire-and-forget or man-in-the-loop control via fibre-optic link.
• Uncooled IR seeker reduces logistical burden.
• Warhead can be tailored for armor-piercing or blast/fragmentation effects.
• Digital interface allows integration into networked battle management systems.
• Fibre-optic data link enables in-flight retargeting and reduces collateral damage.

7. HJ-12 (China) – approx. $7,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #7: The Chinese HJ-12 („Red Arrow 12“) is a man-portable third-generation fire-and-forget system. Weighing only 17 kg and featuring a soft-launch capability, it can be fired from enclosed spaces. Its 8.4 kg tandem HEAT warhead penetrates around 1,100 mm of armor. The IR-guided variant reaches 2 km, while the TV-guided variant achieves ranges up to 4 km. The system is significantly cheaper than Western counterparts, and the launcher itself is reusable.

Main features:

• Fire-and-forget with either IR or TV seeker.
• Soft-launch capability for firing from buildings.
• Tandem HEAT warhead with high penetration.
• Very low unit cost; reusable launcher.
• Reusable launcher reduces operating costs; the missiles themselves are relatively inexpensive.

8. Brimstone II (UK) – approx. £175,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #8: Brimstone was originally developed as an air-launched anti-tank weapon, but due to its compact design it is now also used on naval platforms and ground vehicles. The system combines millimetre-wave radar with a semi-active laser seeker and can autonomously acquire moving and stationary targets. Newer variants Brimstone 2 and 3 have ranges exceeding 25 km, making Brimstone one of the few ATGMs with genuine standoff capability.

Main features:

• Dual-mode seeker: millimetre-wave radar for automatic target search, semi-active laser for precision engagements.
• 6.3 kg tandem warhead effective against heavy armor.
• High speed and programmable flight profiles.
• Extended range (7 – 25 km+) enables engagements from long stand-off distances.
• Brimstone 2 reaches over 25 km; future Brimstone 3 variants are planned to reach up to 60 km.

9. Stugna-P (Ukraine) – approx. $20,000 per missile

Reason for Rank #9: This Ukrainian system shows how cost-effective engineering can deliver potent anti-tank capability. Stugna-P fires 130 or 152 mm missiles whose tandem HEAT warheads penetrate up to 800 mm of armor. Its key feature is a cable-linked remote control console: the operator can work up to 50 m away from the launcher, improving survivability under return fire. Range is up to 5 km (5.5 km according to some sources) by day and 3 km by night.

Main features:

• Semi-automatic laser beam guidance (SACLOS) with remote operation.
• Multiple warhead types: tandem HEAT, thermobaric or high-explosive.
• Relatively low cost and lightweight system (total around 60 kg).
• Remote console allows the operator to stay up to 50 m away from the launcher.
• Successfully employed against Russian armor in the Ukrainian conflict.

10. Metis-M1 (Russia) – approx. $15,500 per missile

Reason for Rank #10: Metis-M1 is a light, wire-guided system that offers a highly cost-effective solution for short-range engagements. Its warhead penetrates 900 – 950 mm of armor. Although its range is limited to 2 km, light infantry units value its compact design and total system weight of just 23.8 kg. The low unit price makes Metis-M1 a popular export weapon for countries with limited budgets.

Main features:

• Semi-automatic wire guidance with simple operation.
• Tandem HEAT or thermobaric warhead options.
• Very light and compact design.
• Low procurement cost of around $15,500 per missile.
• Also available with thermobaric warhead for defeating bunkers and fortified infantry positions.

Why Are These Anti-Tank Missiles So Important?

The ATGMs presented above illustrate the enormous range of modern anti-tank capabilities – from man-portable disposable weapons to long-range standoff systems. They are transforming warfare in several ways:

• Flexibility: Missiles can be carried by infantry or mounted on vehicles, ships and helicopters. Different warheads allow employment against tanks, bunkers or soft targets.
• Guidance technology: Fire-and-forget systems reduce risk to the operator, while wire- or laser-guided weapons provide more affordable alternatives.
• Penetration: Tandem warheads and modern seekers enable the defeat of complex reactive armor and even hardened structures.
• Cost-effectiveness: Simpler models such as NLAW, Stugna-P or Metis-M1 provide credible anti-tank capability at relatively low cost, while high-end systems like Javelin or Spike deliver maximum effectiveness against heavily protected targets.
• Rapid deployment: Man-portable systems can be used in urban terrain and difficult environments, while vehicle- or air-launched variants cover extended ranges.

Conclusion

The Top 10 anti-tank missiles presented here show how modern warfare adapts to evolving threats. From the revolutionary fire-and-forget capability of Javelin and the versatile Spike family to cost-effective regional systems such as Stugna-P and Metis-M1, this selection spans the full spectrum of performance, technology and budget. While Western weapons often feature higher prices and cutting-edge sensors, Russian, Chinese and Ukrainian systems with simpler technology still achieve impressive penetration and range. As development continues – for example with Brimstone 2 or future laser-guided ATGMs – these missiles will remain a key factor on the battlefield.

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