The story of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) begins in the shadows of World War II, when the limitations of unguided rockets against armored vehicles became starkly apparent. German engineers pioneered the concept with the X-7 Rotkappchen, a wire-guided missile that laid the groundwork for future designs, though it never saw combat. Post-war advancements accelerated in the 1950s and 1960s, as nations sought precise ways to counter the growing threat of main battle tanks. Early systems, classified as first-generation, relied on manual command to line of sight (MCLOS) guidance, requiring operators to steer the missile via joystick while keeping the target in view. These included the French SS.10 and SS.11, the Soviet 9M14 Malyutka (NATO: AT-3 Sagger), and the Australian-British Malkara. Operators faced immense challenges: slow missile speeds, vulnerability during guidance, and high training demands often resulted in low hit rates under pressure.
Despite these drawbacks, first-generation ATGMs marked a revolutionary shift, empowering infantry to challenge tanks from standoff distances. The 1973 Yom Kippur War highlighted their potential when Egyptian forces used Malyutka missiles to inflict heavy losses on Israeli armor, prompting rapid countermeasures like reactive armor.
Generational Advancements
Second-generation ATGMs introduced semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance, where operators simply kept crosshairs on the target while the system automated corrections via wire, radio, or laser beam-riding. This improved accuracy and reduced operator burden. Iconic examples include the American BGM-71 TOW, the most produced ATGM with hundreds of thousands built, the European MILAN, and the Soviet 9K113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel). These systems extended ranges to 4-5 kilometers and incorporated tandem warheads to defeat explosive reactive armor (ERA).
Third-generation systems brought true fire-and-forget capability, using infrared or imaging seekers for autonomous tracking after launch. The American FGM-148 Javelin, introduced in 1996, exemplifies this with its top-attack profile, climbing before diving onto thinner roof armor, and a range of about 2.5-4 kilometers. Israel’s Spike family offers versatility with fiber-optic guidance for man-in-the-loop control and non-line-of-sight firing in some variants.
Russia’s 9M133 Kornet, a heavy laser beam-rider often grouped with third-generation despite SACLOS traits, boasts ranges up to 8 kilometers and tandem warheads penetrating over 1,200mm of armor.
Emerging fourth- and fifth-generation ATGMs, like France’s Akeron MP and advanced Spike variants, add datalinks for mid-flight retargeting, multi-mode seekers, and enhanced countermeasures resistance.
Key Systems in Modern Warfare
Today’s ATGMs span man-portable, vehicle-mounted, and air-launched platforms. The Javelin remains a benchmark for portability and top-attack, proving devastating in conflicts like Ukraine where thousands were supplied by 2025.
Spike’s modular family serves over 30 nations with ranges from 5 to 30 kilometers in NLOS versions. The Kornet, exported widely, excels in long-range direct fire. Other notables include China’s HJ-12, mimicking Javelin traits, and air-launched AGM-114 Hellfire for precision from helicopters and drones.
These weapons have democratized anti-armor capability, allowing infantry to neutralize multi-million-dollar tanks from cover.
Battlefield Performance and Countermeasures
Real-world use underscores ATGMs’ transformative role. In Ukraine, systems like Javelin and NLAW disrupted armored advances, forcing tactical shifts toward dispersed infantry and drones.
Top-attack profiles bypass frontal armor, while tandem warheads counter ERA. However, tanks evolve with active protection systems (APS) like Israel’s Trophy, intercepting incoming missiles, and soft-kill countermeasures such as jammers or smoke. This cat-and-mouse game drives ATGM innovations, including loitering modes and swarm capabilities.
Market and Future Trends
By late 2025, the global ATGM market approaches $400 million annually, with projections to $500-535 million by 2032 at 4-5% CAGR, fueled by modernization and conflicts. Key players include Lockheed Martin/Raytheon (Javelin), Rafael (Spike), KBP (Kornet), and MBDA (Akeron). Growth stems from demand for portable, fire-and-forget systems amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Future developments emphasize multi-role versatility against drones and fortifications, integration with unmanned platforms, and resilience against APS through hypersonic speeds or decoys. As armor thickens and APS proliferate, ATGMs will incorporate AI for target discrimination and networked operations.
Anti-tank guided missiles have redefined ground warfare, shifting dominance from heavy armor to precise, portable firepower. From humble wire-guided origins to sophisticated fire-and-forget predators, they ensure that no tank is invincible, balancing offense and defense in an endless technological arms race.