Bilal9
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You're pushing for something that has no traditional precedent simply to look cool
One is a third gen, guided, top attack capable anti tank missile while the other is not? Alcotan is basically a bigger C90 which is also unguided
Also blast yield is irrelevant. What's more important is armor penetration
You know - no offense, but the problem with some of us armchair strategists is that, we never fought in an actual RPG situation with real RPG's (C90 or not).
So we talk about all sorts of stuff with no knowledge of practical boots on the ground real-world scenarios in countries like Bangladesh. it makes no sense for BA getting NLAWs that cost $30,000 a copy at this time.
I feel that in a Bangladesh 3rd world army situation, RPG type weapons like Alcotan (though unguided but can be aimed well) are an excellent cost effective solution to deploy en masse, the infantrymen do get pretty good with the aiming (just like the rebels in Syria have) and of course, the night vision aiming device supplied will certainly help in operations after dark.
Unguided RPG type rockets (vs. Guided ATGMs) are not automatically inferior, though they may cost way less. User competence is a huge factor. Both unguided RPG's and guided ATGMs have their applications and uses.
Top attack is also over-rated and Marketing hype in my opinion. Disabling tanks is the point - if you get your jollies by blowing up personnel to smithereens, that is something I don't agree with.
Dumb weapons like these (especially the ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) version ordered) which can use an armor penetrating and delayed fuse round to defeat ERA, are perfect for our scenario. I can assure you, our current and potential adversaries won't be using ATGM's that are worth $30,000 a copy either. Even if they did, the relative edge obtained will be marginal in a conflict. They know.
For all of us theorists - the test will be from the Ukraine conflict currently ongoing for some of the ATGM's adopted by BA.
Bangladesh Army has historically deployed a wide range of ATGM's (some best of breed) and Anti-tank rockets, it is in trial and testing mode to find the best solution. They have done this for each solution in rather small numbers, before deciding on a possible ToT manufacture solution. Most of these use SACLOS wire guidance.
- Kornet-E ($7000 or so a copy)
- Metis-M1 (Inducted in the early 90s, Bangladesh Army is one of the largest users of Metis-M1 globally)
- HJ-8/Baktar Shikan (3 KM range, supplied from Pakistan in periodic batches over the years)
- PF98 rockets (fitted with the fire control system and night-vision scope)
Further - the army's Ordnance Factory assembles and supplies HJ-73 ATGM's as well, which have been used locally since 1985. These are well proven with HEAT rounds usable to defeat ERA.
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