Antiarmor

Antiarmor refers to weapons, devices, and tactics designed to defeat armored fighting vehicles, especially main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. The aim is to reduce or negate enemy protection, mobility, and firepower, allowing infantry or lighter platforms to operate effectively.

Antiarmor technology encompasses direct-fire weapons such as anti-tank rifles, recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and anti-tank guns; and guided or unguided missiles and bombs designed to penetrate armor. Modern emphasis is on anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and man-portable systems (such as Javelin, Spike, NLAW, and TOW variants). These weapons may employ shaped charges (HEAT) or kinetic-energy penetrators. Many missiles use top-attack profiles to target the thinner upper hull. Some systems are designed for air-to-surface, vehicle-to-vehicle, or anti-armor artillery roles. Anti-armor mines and improvised devices are also part of the spectrum.

Doctrine centers on exploiting vulnerabilities of armor, such as coverage gaps, movement, and turret weak points, while integrating with infantry, air support, and electronic or air-defense networks. Countermeasures developed by armored forces include composite armor, explosive reactive armor (ERA), and active protection systems (APS) that detect and intercept incoming projectiles. The field emphasizes combined arms competition between offensive antiarmor capabilities and defensive survivability measures, with ongoing adaptation to new armor technologies and battlefield tactics.