We invite you to explore a review of the events and materials from the week, with a brief description gathered for you in this article.
Anti-Tank Missile with a 20 km Range
The French defense giant MBDA successfully tested its long-range anti-tank missile named Akeron LP, which boasts a launch range of up to 20 km. The tests focused on evaluating the capabilities of the booster and the main rocket engine of this weapon.
However, there is one issue with this missile: it primarily needs to be operated from a modified Eurocopter Tiger MkIII helicopter, but the modernization of these machines has been halted due to an analysis of operational experiences in combat situations in Ukraine.
"Sivalka"
The 704th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is equipped with the "Sivalka VM8" multiple launch rocket system, which can destroy targets using thermobaric 80-mm S-8TR rockets.
We discuss whether the TOC-1 "Solntsepek" appears more powerful, and is there any real sense in the thermobaric "Sivalka VM8" for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
S-300V1 in the Armed Forces
Recently, the press service of the Air Forces of Ukraine released a video showcasing the relatively rare S-300V1 surface-to-air missile system currently in service.
This system significantly differs from the S-300PT and S-300PS, which were the backbone of our air defense as of early 2022. We provide further details about the rare S-300V1 in the Armed Forces.
F-16
Earlier this week, the "Sunflower" unit of the Armed Forces published the first photo of the F-16 in combat conditions, allowing for a detailed look at its armament.
Additionally, the presence of several external fuel tanks draws attention, suggesting a prolonged combat flight over a long distance. We delve deeper into what else is visible in the first photo of the F-16 from its combat flight.
M-42
At the end of January 2025, a video emerged on social media from operators of strike drones in the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces, who destroyed a Russian UAZ "Bukhanka" with an artillery system on a trailer during one of the episodes.
At first glance, it appeared that the Russian army had even reactivated legendary 45-mm M-42 cannons from World War II, which ceased production in 1946, by taking them from museums. However, it seems that the reality is much more mundane.