17 May 2019

MILEX 2019: Belarus begins to export Konkurs-RB ATGM launcher

by Dmitry Fediushko

Belarus has begun exporting the 9P135M1(RB) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher, a source from the country’s defence industry told Jane’s at the MILEX 2019 exhibition being held in Minsk on 15–18 May.

The 9P135M1(RB) Konkurs-RB ATGM launcher. (Dimitry Fediushko)

“In 2016–2017, JSC TsNIP conducted work to resume production of the 9P135M1 launcher and upgrade it to the 9P135M1(RB) standard. The 9P135M1(RB) has undergone live fire trials in Belarus. The upgraded launcher entered production in 2017, and since then it has been exported to several customers,” said the source, adding that the upgraded launcher features a digital launch mechanism and control unit. “All the launcher’s analogue components have been replaced by modern ones,” the source added.

The 9P135M1(RB) launcher enables an operator to fire all types of Fagot (including 9M111 Fagot and 9M111M Faktoriya) and Konkurs (including 9M113 Konkurs and 9M113M Konkurs-M) ATGMs. It can be mounted on a tripod or integrated with BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and the 9P148 Konkurs self-propelled ATGM system. “The components of the 9P135M1(RB) have been designed to be interchangeable with those of the 9P135M1 launcher to facilitate logistics support,” said the source.

TsNIP is also developing a new sighting system for the 9P135M1(RB). “The system will comprise a high-definition TV camera and thermal imager. We are also working on the integration of an automatic target tracker and a remote control unit with the sight,” the source added.

The 9M135M1(RB) launcher has been adopted by the Belarusian military as part of the Konkurs-RB ATGM system.

Belarus has begun exporting the 9P135M1(RB) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher, a source from ...

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