Western and Indian weapons in Armenia Pros and cons of the acquired systems

Caliber.Az recently published an exclusive article titled "Western & Indian Heavy Weapons Already in Armenia." The publication has generated significant media attention and interest among experts. What does this weaponry entail? Let’s examine the available information from open sources and draw some conclusions.

155-mm Self-Propelled Howitzers CAESAR

Specifications:

• Calibre: 155 mm
• Range: Up to 42 km (with standard ammunition), up to 55 km (with extended-range ammunition)
• Rate of Fire: Up to 6 rounds per minute
• Crew: 4–5 people
• Time to Deploy from Travel to Combat Position: Less than 1 minute

Pros:

• High Mobility: The CAESAR is mounted on a truck chassis, allowing it to quickly change positions and avoid counter-battery fire.
• Accuracy: Advanced fire control systems provide high accuracy at long ranges.
• Rapid Deployment: Quick transition from travel to combat mode and vice versa.

Cons:

• Limited Armor Protection: Light armour makes the howitzer vulnerable to direct fire and shrapnel.
• Dependence on Road Infrastructure: Mobility is limited by the quality of road surfaces.

Air-to-Air Missiles R511 and R530

Specifications of R511:

• Type: Semi-active radar-guided missile
• Range: Up to 8 km
• Speed: Up to Mach 2

Specifications of R530:

• Type: Semi-active radar-guided and infrared-guided missile
• Range: Up to 25 km
• Speed: Up to Mach 3.5

Pros:

• Versatility: Can be used in various types of air combat.
• High Speed: Especially for the R530, which increases the likelihood of successful target interception.

Cons:

• Obsolescence: These missiles were developed in the 1960s and are inferior to modern systems.
• Limited Range: Particularly for the R511, which may be insufficient in contemporary air battles.

Anti-Tank Missiles ERYX

Specifications:

• Type: Guided anti-tank missile
• Range: Up to 600 m
• System Weight: 13 kg
• Penetration: Up to 900 mm with reactive armour

Pros:

• High Accuracy: Semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) provides a high probability of hitting the target.
• Compactness: Lightweight system suitable for urban environments and rugged terrain.

Cons:

• Limited Range: 600 m may be insufficient for engaging modern tanks in open terrain.
• Operator Dependence: The missile requires the operator to keep the target in sight until impact, which can expose the operator to risk.

DM32 Grenade Launchers ("Bunkerfaust")

Specifications:

• Calibre: 105 mm
• Range: Up to 400 m
• Weight: 6 kg
• Ammunition Type: Cumulative

Pros:

• Effectiveness Against Fortifications: Designed specifically for penetrating bunkers and fortifications.
• Ease of Use: Simple design allows for rapid training of operators.

Cons:

• Limited Range: An effective range of up to 400 m may restrict its application.
• Single Use: The grenade launcher is not reusable after firing.

Anti-Tank Systems "Panzerfaust 3"

Specifications:

• Calibre: 110 mm
• Range: Up to 600 m
• Weight: 12.9 kg
• Penetration: Up to 900 mm with reactive armour

Pros:

• Powerful Warhead: Effective against modern tanks with reactive armour.
• Compactness: Convenient for use in urban combat.

Cons:

• Heavy Weight: 12.9 kg can be a significant burden for a single operator.
• Limited Range: In open terrain, the range may be insufficient.

Portable Rocket Grenades Apilas

Specifications:

• Calibre: 112 mm
• Range: Up to 300 m
• Weight: 9 kg
• Penetration: Up to 720 mm with reactive armour

Pros:

• High Penetration Capability: Can penetrate modern tanks and armoured vehicles.
• Ease of Use: Simple to operate with minimal training required for the operator.

Cons:

• Limited Range: 300 m may be insufficient for safely engaging targets.
• Single Use: The grenade is disposable and requires a significant number of spare units.

Anti-Tank Missile Systems BGM-71 TOW

Specifications:

• Type: Guided missile system
• Range: Up to 3.75 km
• Penetration: Up to 900 mm with reactive armour
• Missile Speed: Up to 278 m/s

Pros:

• Long Range: Capable of engaging targets at extended distances.
• Accuracy: The SACLOS system allows precise control of the missile until impact.

Cons:

• Operator Vulnerability: The operator must keep the sight on the target, making them vulnerable.
• Heavy Weight: The system is heavy, which reduces the team’s mobility.

Conclusions

Thus, the delivery of weaponry to Armenia includes various systems, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. These systems have the potential to enhance certain aspects of military capability, but their actual effectiveness will be determined by operational conditions, the level of operator training, and the tactical scenarios in which they are employed.