Russia Prepares New Variant Of Kornet-D1 Anti-Tank Missile System, Fire Range Up To 10 Km

Russian Kornet D1 anti-tank missile system (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

JAKARTA - The latest Kornet-D1 self-propelled anti-tank missile system based on the chassis of the BMD-4M air infantry fighting vehicle, intended for the Russian Air Force has entered the final stage of firing tests, the press office of the state technology company Rostec reported.

"The high-precision weapons group has moved into the final stages of test firing and the vehicle is also undergoing laboratory tests and road tests," Rostec said, citing TASS February 21.

The Kornet anti-tank missile system, manufactured by the Shipunov Instrument Manufacturing Design Bureau (part of the High Precision Weapons Group), is designed to attack tanks and other armored targets, including vehicles equipped with reactive armor.

The advanced Kornet-D system is also capable of striking aerial targets. Missiles are directed by laser beams. The firing range of the Kornet-D anti-tank missile system has been extended to 10 km, while the previous version had a firing range of 5.5 km.

As previously reported, the Kornet-D1 anti-tank missile system is capable of striking two different targets at once and providing automatic fire.

Russian Kornet D. anti-tank missile system (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The Kornet-D1 is being developed for two types of carriers: the wheeled chassis of the Tigr-M armored vehicle and the tracked platform of the BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle. The Kornet-D1 has been engineered for the Air Force's anti-tank artillery squad.

To note, apart from domestically, Kornet is also recognized abroad. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called Russia's Kornet anti-tank missile system the best in the world, adding that the system that can be operated by people or installed on multiple vehicle platforms is better than the US' Javelin anti-tank missile system.

"I am very happy that they have been supplied, Kornet is very important. Look how they work in Syria, their second name is 'tank destroyer'," President Vucic quoted TASS as saying Dec. 25.

"Those are the best missiles in the world, they are slightly better than the Javelin missile system, which is also fantastic. It strengthens the Serbian army," continued President Vucic.