9K111 Fagot

9K111 Fagot is a second-generation, man-portable anti-tank guided missile system developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Entering service with the Soviet Army in 1970, it was designed to provide infantry units with a reliable weapon capable of defeating contemporary NATO main battle tanks. The system uses a SACLOS wire-guidance system, requiring the operator to keep the sight's crosshairs on the target until impact. It remains in widespread use with numerous militaries worldwide, having seen extensive combat in various regional conflicts.

Development and design

The development of the 9K111 Fagot was initiated by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau in the 1960s as a successor to first-generation systems like the 9K11 Malyutka. The primary design goal was to create a more accurate and user-friendly infantry anti-tank weapon that could be deployed rapidly. Key to its design was the adoption of a SACLOS guidance method, which significantly increased hit probability compared to the manual command to line of sight system of the 9K11 Malyutka. The missile itself is launched from a sealed tube, which is also a storage and transport container, and is propelled by a solid-fuel sustainer motor after an initial launch charge ejects it to a safe distance. The complete system, designated 9K111, consists of the 9M111 missile, the 9P135 launcher, and the 9S451 guidance unit, and was manufactured primarily at the Degtyaryov Plant.

Operational history

The 9K111 Fagot was first supplied in large numbers to Soviet forces and its allies within the Warsaw Pact, becoming a standard infantry anti-tank weapon. It saw its first major combat use during the Soviet–Afghan War, where it was employed by both the 40th Army and the Mujahideen forces. The system has been widely exported and subsequently used in numerous conflicts including the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), the Syrian Civil War, and the Russo-Ukrainian War. In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russian Armed Forces have deployed various versions of the system, demonstrating its continued relevance on modern battlefields despite its age.

Variants

* 9M111: Base model missile for the 9K111 system. * 9M111-2: Improved variant with a tandem warhead to defeat explosive reactive armor. * 9M111M Faktoriya: Export version with enhanced penetration. * 9K111M Fagot-M: Modernized system with the 9M111M missile, offering increased range. * 9P135M launcher: An upgraded launcher capable of firing both the 9M111 and the more advanced 9K113 Konkurs missile. * 9K111-1''': A version with a night sight for operations in low-light conditions.

Operators

The 9K111 Fagot has been exported globally and remains in the inventories of over 40 countries. Major historical and current operators include Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, India, Poland, Finland, Vietnam, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many former Warsaw Pact nations inherited stocks after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the system has been widely copied or produced under license in countries like Bulgaria and Romania. It is commonly found in the arsenals of non-state actors and guerrilla forces due to its proliferation and relative simplicity.

Specifications

* **System designation:** 9K111 Fagot (NATO reporting name: AT-4 Spigot) * **Missile designation:** 9M111 * **Guidance system:** SACLOS wire-guided * **Warhead:** 2.5 kg HEAT * **Armor penetration:** 400 mm RHA behind ERA * **Range:** 70 to 2,000 meters * **Flight velocity:** 186 m/s * **Missile length:** 1.2 m * **Missile diameter:** 120 mm * **Missile weight:** 13.4 kg * **System weight (combat ready):** 26.5 kg * **Crew:** 2 soldiers

Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of the Soviet Union Category:Cold War anti-tank guided missiles Category:Wire-guided missiles