9M14 Malyutka

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	Weapon: 9M14 Malyutka Type: Anti-Tank Weapon Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1963 Overall Length (mm): 860.0 Overall Length (in): 33.86 Weight (kg): 10.00 Weight (pounds): 22.05

The 9M14 Malyutka, known by its NATO reporting name "AT-3 Sagger," is a man-portable, wire-guided anti-tank missile developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Designed by the Tula Design Bureau, it was conceived as a compact and cost-effective solution for infantry to combat armored threats. The missile features a unique manual guidance system requiring the operator to steer the missile visually using a joystick, a challenging but effective method at the time. Its portability, coupled with its 3-kilogram warhead, made it a significant improvement over recoilless rifles and other anti-tank weapons of the era.

Production of the 9M14 began in 1963 and continued in various upgraded forms across multiple countries, including China and several Warsaw Pact states. Over 100,000 units were produced by the Soviet Union alone, with additional numbers manufactured under license worldwide. Its low cost and high utility contributed to its widespread adoption, making it one of the most widely used anti-tank missile systems of the Cold War. Variants like the 9M14M improved range and accuracy, extending its operational relevance into the late 20th century.

The Malyutka earned its notoriety in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Iran-Iraq War, where it was effectively employed against enemy armor. During the Yom Kippur War in particular, the missile's success in destroying Israeli tanks demonstrated its battlefield value and influenced anti-tank weapon development globally. Despite being considered obsolete by modern standards, the 9M14 remains in use in various regions due to its simplicity and availability, cementing its place as a landmark in the history of anti-tank weaponry.