MILAN

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	Weapon: MILAN Type: Anti-Tank Weapon Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1972 Caliber: 103mm Action: Anti-Tank Missile Overall Length (mm): 1200.0 Overall Length (in): 47.24 Weight (kg): 7.10 Weight (pounds): 15.65 Effective Range (m): 2000 m Effective Range (yards): 2187.23

The MILAN (Missile d'Infanterie Leger Antichar) is a wire-guided, semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight (SACLOS) anti-tank missile system developed in the 1970s by the French company MBDA (formerly Aerospatiale) in collaboration with the German company MBB. Designed as a portable and reliable infantry weapon, the MILAN features a launcher that guides the missile using a trailing wire, allowing for precise targeting of armored vehicles and fortified positions. Equipped with a tandem-charge warhead in later models, the missile is capable of penetrating modern explosive reactive armor (ERA), making it a formidable anti-armor weapon.

Since its introduction in 1972, the MILAN has been widely adopted by over 40 countries, with production exceeding 350,000 missiles. It has been manufactured in multiple variants, including the MILAN 2, MILAN 3, and MILAN ER, each offering improvements in range, guidance, and armor penetration. The missile system has been deployed in numerous conflicts, including the Falklands War, the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, and various conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. Its adaptability to different combat environments and ease of use have contributed to its widespread success and longevity.

The MILAN missile has earned a reputation for its effectiveness against armored threats, but its wire-guided system has limitations, particularly in modern battlefields where mobility and countermeasures play a significant role. While newer missile systems with fire-and-forget capabilities have begun to replace it, the MILAN remains in use with many armed forces, especially in regions where cost-effective and proven anti-tank solutions are needed. Its combat history and continued presence in military arsenals underscore its significance as one of the most successful infantry anti-tank missile systems of the 20th and early 21st centuries.