What shoulder-launched systems are Ukrainian forces using to counter Russia?

Before the start of Russian military operation in Ukraine, as well as in the last two weeks, the United States and European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and Lithuania, etc. sent man-portable air-defense systems and Anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. These missiles have played an important role in preventing the advance of Russian Army armored columns in Ukraine, and have so far caused significant damage to Russian armored vehicles and equipment.

The most important systems donated by European countries to the Ukrainian army are the NLAW missile, the FGM-148 Javelin missile, the SMAW-D missile and the Stinger missile, the details of which are as follows:

1- NLAW missile:
The NLAW is a top attack anti-tank, fire-and-forget missile system. Its penetration is not exactly known, but its effective firing range is between 20 and 600 meters and with maximum firing range of 1000 meters. The missile operates in such a way that it explodes on top of the target and its fragments penetrate the target. The ability to fire from inside buildings makes this missile suitable for urban warfare. The NLAW is a joint product of Sweden and Britain. According to European sources, Britain has sent more than 2,000 such missiles to Ukraine.

Read more: Military Knowledge: NLAW short-range anti-tank missile

2- Javelin FGM-148 missile:
The Javelin FGM-148 is a top attack anti-tank, fire-and-forget missile system made by United States. Its effective firing range is between 75 to 2500 meters. The penetration rate of this missile is between 600 to 800 mm on RHA. This missile also has the ability to fire from inside buildings and closed places. The United States and Lithuania have sent more than 2,000 such missiles to Ukraine.

Read more: Javelin FGM-148 anti-tank missile

3- SMAW-D missile:
The SMAW-D (Disposable), or M141 Bunker Defeat Munition is a single-shot, shoulder-launched weapon designed to defeat hardened structures. The effective firing range of SMAW-D missile is between 15 to 1000 meters. SMAW-D is made by the United States exclusively for its Army to fill the void in the United States Army inventory of a bunker buster weapon. The United States has delivered 100 such missiles to the Ukrainian army so far.

Read more: Military Knowledge: M141 Bunker Defeat Munition

4- FIM-92 Stinger missile:
The FIM-92 Stinger is an originally US-made man-portable air-defense system that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile. Its effective range is between 180 to 3800 meters with a maximum range of 4800 meters. Germany has sent more than 500 of these missiles and the Netherlands more than 200 of these missiles to Ukraine.

Read more: Military Knowledge: FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS

PS: The date of this text is March 1, 2022, and the number of missiles donated to Ukraine will be higher after this date.