View source for 9M133 Kornet

{{dablink|[[Kornet]] redirects here.  For the Internet service, see [[KT (telecommunication company)]].}}

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=9M133 Kornet
|image=[[Image:9M133_Kornet.JPG|300px|9M133 Kornet]]
|caption=9M133 missile with launcher
|origin={{flag|Russia}}
|type=[[Anti-tank missile]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
|is_missile=yes
|is_UK=
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1994-present
|used_by=See ''users''
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[KBP Instrument Design Bureau]]
|design_date=
|manufacturer=KBP Instrument Design Bureau
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=9M123, 9M123-2, 9M123F, 9M123F-2
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=9M133
|weight=27 kg (29 kg with launch tube)
|length=1200 mm
|diameter=152 mm
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
|filling=Tandem [[HEAT]], [[Thermobaric]]
|filling_weight= 7 kg HEAT, 10 kg TNT equivalent Thermobaric
|detonation=Impact fuze
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|wingspan= 460 mm
|propellant=[[Solid-fuel rocket]]
|fuel_capacity=
|vehicle_range=100-5500m
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|boost=
|speed=
|guidance=[[SACLOS]] laser beam riding
|steering=Two control surfaces 
|accuracy=<5 m
|launch_platform=
|transport=
}}

The '''Kornet''' ({{lang-ru|"Корнет"}}; {{lang-en|[[Cornet]]}}) is a [[Military of Russia|Russian]] [[anti-tank missile]] (ATGM). It is a heavy ATGM intended to replace an older generation of missiles in the Russian inventory, Kornet was designed to deal with current and future generations of [[main battle tank]]s and can also be used to engage slow and low flying aerial targets like [[helicopter]]s<ref name="KBP">{{cite web |url=http://www.kbptula.ru/eng/atgw/kornet.htm |title=KORNET-E ANTITANK MISSILE SYSTEM |accessdate=2008-11-08 |work=KBP Instrument Design Bureau |date=2008}}</ref>. The missile carries the [[GRAU]] designation '''9M133''' and the [[NATO reporting name]] '''AT-14 Spriggan'''<ref name="FAS">{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/at-14.htm) |title=Kornet (AT-14) |accessdate=2008-11-08 |work=Federation of American Scientists |date=1999-06-19}}</ref>.

==Development==
The Kornet anti-tank missile was first unveiled in October 1994 by the [[KBP Instrument Design Bureau]]<ref name="FAS"/>. The missile had started development in 1988 as a modular, universal system able to engage any target from a mix of platforms using a reliable laser beam guidance system that was simple to use. It is a heavy ATGM intended to replace the earlier [[9K111 Fagot]] (NATO: AT-4 Spigot) and [[9K113 Konkurs]] (NATO: AT-5 Spandrel) wire-guided ATGMs in both vehicle and tripod mounts<ref name="NAROD">{{cite web |url=http://www.btvt.narod.ru/4/kornet.htm |title=ПТРК «КОРНЕТ» |accessdate=2008-11-08 |work=btvt.narod.ru (Russian) |date=2003-2008}}</ref>. The missile is believed to have also entered service in the Russian army in 1994<ref>http://www.deagel.com/Anti-Armor-Weapons-and-Missiles/Kornet_a001010001.aspx</ref>, its export designation is the Kornet-E<ref name="KBP"/>.

==Description==
The new KORNET Anti Tank Missiles are categorized of the Third Generation ATGM, the Laser system used is protected against jamming. This missile system is the only one that is to be considered a shoulder by shoulder with the new Anti Tank Missile Systems called Fire&Forget. It has been proven that  this missile is effective in urban wars against many of well known tanks like the Israeli Merkava 3, the American M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, Stryker and even the russian BTR-90 & BMP. These evidence of the KORNET effectiveness showed up in the recent Hezbullah war with Israel, and also in the Iraqi war. The 9M133 missile itself is supersonic with a range of between 100 and 5500 meters (3500 meters at night)<ref name="NAROD"/>. Propulsion is by way of a single solid fuel [[rocket]] motor with two exhausts on either side of the missile.  The off-set exhausts cause the missile to spin during flight with guidance control provided by two pop-out control surfaces on the front of the missile (four additional surfaces help stabilise the missile during flight). The Kornet user [[laser]] [[SACLOS]] guidance system, the laser directed by the operator, targets need to be continually illuminated and a sensor in the rear section enables the missile to ride the laser beam to the target. The guidance system ensures protection against [[electronic countermeasures]] and operation in all climatic conditions, day or night. Each missile carries a [[tandem HEAT]] with a reported penetration of 1000-1200 mm [[Rolled homogeneous armour|RHA]] behind [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA)<ref name="Ros">{{cite web |url=http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/lanforces_cataloque.html |title=Land Forces Weapons Export Catalogue 2003 |accessdate=2008-11-17 |publisher=Rosoboronexport}}</ref>, alternatively a thermobaric warhead can be carried to engage soft-skinned targets, fortifications and manpower<ref name="NAROD"/>.

The 9M133 missile together with its 9P163-1 tripod launcher and 1PN79-1 thermal sight forms the 9K123 missile system<ref name="Ros"/>, the 9K123 can be carried and operated by a two infantry crew. In addition to an infantary portable version the 9K133 the system has been integrated into a variety of other vehicles and weapons systems as either an upgrade package or new weapon system. The 9K133 has been fitted into a [[BMP-3]] to form the 9P163M-1 [[tank destroyer]] and is similar in function to the [[Khrizantema]] missile system. The 9P163M-1 carries two 9M133 missiles on launch rails which are extended from a stowed position during transit. Missile are re-loaded automatically by the tank destroyer from an internal magazine with 16 rounds (missiles are stored and transported in sealed canisters)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense-update.com/products/k/kornet-e.htm |title=Kornet E Laser Guided Anti-Tank Missile |accessdate=2008-11-17 |work=Defence Update |date=2006-07-26}}</ref>. [[NBC]] protection is provided for the two crew (gunner and driver) of each 9P163M-1 in addition to full armour protection equivalent to the standard BMP-3 chassist. The guidance system of the 9P163M-1 allows two missiles to be fired at once, the missiles operating on different guidance (laser) channels.

The KBP Instrument Design Bureau has also marketed the 9K133 system as part of the KVARTET for mounting on vehicles and boats, the system has four missiles on ready to launch rails along with associated guidance and sighting system all packaged in a single turret. The turret has space for an additional five rounds and is operated by a single individual, the guidance system also allows two missiles to be fired at once<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kbptula.ru/eng/atgw/kvartet.htm |title=KVARTET SYSTEM WITH KORNET-E ANTITANK MISSILES |accessdate=2008-11-17 |work=KBP Instrument Design Bureau |date=2008}}</ref>. Another upgrade possibility is the KLIVER missile and gun turret, seen as an upgrade option for the BTR series of [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]], [[BMP-1]] [[IFV]] and patrol boats. It has a similar capabilities as the KVARTET turret but also carries a 30 mm 2A72 cannon, the turret weight is 1500 kg<ref name="army">{{cite web |url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/kornet/ |title=Kornet E Anti-Armour Missile, Russia |accessdate=2008-11-17 |work=Army-technology.com |date=2008}}</ref>. Finally the 9M133 is alaos available in the BEREZHOK turret upgrade also made available by KBP<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kbptula.ru/eng/bron/light/bmp2.htm |title="BEREZHOK" The Weapon System With the Fire Control System and Kornet-E Guided Weapon Designed to Equip Armoured Vehicles |accessdate=2008-11-17 |work=KBP Instrument Design Bureau |date=2008}}</ref>.

==Combat history==
During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], Kornets were rumoured to have been used by [[Iraq]]i forces to disable [[USA|American]] [[M1 Abrams]] [[tank]]s. [[GlobalSecurity.org]] claims that at least two [[M1 Abrams]] tanks and one [[M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle|M2 Bradley]] [[infantry fighting vehicle]] were disabled by Kornets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/at-14.htm|publisher=[[GlobalSecurity.org]]|title=Kornet (AT-14)}}</ref>

The first verified episode of Kornet ATGM in combat use occurred during the [[2006 Lebanon War]], where the missiles, reportedly supplied by [[Syria]], were successfully used by [[Hezbollah]] fighters to destroy and damage [[Israel]]i [[Merkava]] tanks<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/2-2007/item2/item1/ |title=Russian Anti-Armour Weapons and Israeli Tanks in Lebanon |accessdate=2008-11-18 |work=Moscow Defence Brief |date=2007}}</ref>. One of the first detailed accounts of [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]'s successful capture of Kornet ATGMs on Hezbollah positions in the village of Ghandouriyeh appeared in the [[Daily Telegraph]] article, which also reported that the boxes were marked with "Customer: Ministry of Defense of Syria. Supplier: KBP, Tula, Russia."<ref name="Israel humbled by arms from Iran">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/15/wmid15.xml|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]
|title=Israel humbled by arms from Iran|date=2006-08-15 | location=London | first=Adrian | last=Blomfield | accessdate=2010-04-23}}</ref> Several months after the cease-fire, reports have provided sufficient photographic evidence that Kornet ATGMs were indeed both in possession of, and used by, Hezbollah in this area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/human_shields_eb.pdf |publisher=Center for Special Studies |title=Hezbollah's use of Lebanese civilians as human shields: Part Two - Documentation}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/17/9m133jn4.jpg| publisher=Center for Special Studies |title=Kornet ATGMs captured in Ghandouriyeh}}</ref>

Israel claims that Russian weapons were smuggled to Hezbollah by Syria, and Israel has sent a team of officials to Moscow to show Russia the evidence of what they say can only be Syrian weapons transfers.<ref name="BBC Tough lessons for Israeli armour">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4794829.stm| publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|title=Tough lessons for Israeli armour|date=2006-08-15}}</ref> Despite initial public denials by the Russian officials that any proof of actual use of Kornet by Hezbollah has been presented<ref>{{cite news| url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060825/53115965.html| publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|title=Israel never proved use of Russian missiles by Hizbollah - Ivanov|date=2006-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5284938.stm| publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|title=Russia denies Hezbollah arms link|date=2006-08-25}}</ref>, the Russian government in fact has moved to tighten control over the use of Russian-made weapons by the importing states, suggesting that the visit of the Israeli delegation did bear fruit, although it might have nothing to do with Kornet.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.government.ru/government/governmentactivity/rfgovernmentdecisions/archive/2006/10/11/6401484.htm|publisher=Government of the Russian Federation|title=Provisions for the control of the compliance by foreign states to the rules of use of military equipment supplied by the Russian Federation|date=2006-10-11}}</ref>

==Variants==
*'''9M133-1''' - 9M133 missile with Tandem HEAT warhead.
*'''9M133F-1''' - 9M133 missile with Thermobaric warhead.

==Operators==
*{{flag|Algeria}} - 218 missiles ordered in 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070329/62781987.html |title=Algeria could become Russia's main military partner - paper |accessdate=2008-11-17 |work=RIA Novosti |date=2007-03-29}}</ref>
*{{flag|Ecuador}} - 288 Kornet-E missiles, deliveries started in October 2009.<ref>http://www.ejercitodelecuador.mil.ec/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1479&Itemid=1</ref>
*{{flag|Greece}} - 196 launchers with 1100+ missiles, in service as of 2008<ref>Αμυντική Βίβλος 2008-2009 (journal), Defence Net Media,  page 64</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Hezbollah.svg}} [[Hezbollah]]
*{{flag|India}} - 250 Kornet-E in service as of 2008
*{{flag|Jordan}} -
*{{flag|Syria}}
*{{flag|UAE}}
*{{flag|Kuwait}}
*{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
*{{flag|Russia}} - 2,300 launchers, with some 8,000 missiles in stock (2008)
*{{flag|Turkey}} - 80 launchers with 800 missiles <ref>{{cite web |http://lenta.ru/news/2010/07/01/cornet/ (Russian) |title=Россия передала Турции противотанковые комплексы |accessdate=2010-07-01 |work=Lenta.ru |date=2010-07-01}}
</ref>
*{{flag|Peru}} -  288 missiles and 24 launchers plus training simulators and technical support. Contract (24 million dollars)signed in 2008. All missiles delivered in January 2010.

== See also ==
* [[AT-15 Khrizantema]]
* [[BGM-71 TOW]]
* [[Battle of Wadi Saluki]]

==External links==
* [http://www.kbptula.ru/eng/atgw/kornet.htm KORNET-E Antitank Missile System on KBP site]
* [http://rutube.ru/tracks/407423.html?v=d38f2f9c7d3cdaf950d054e10f19945e Rutube "Kornet". Animation of principle of operation.]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ATM}}

[[Category:Modern anti-tank missiles]]
[[Category:Weapons of Russia]]
[[Category:Anti-tank missiles of Russia]]

[[cs:Kornet (PTŘS)]]
[[de:AT-14 Spriggan]]
[[eo:AT-14 Kornet]]
[[it:AT-14 Spriggan]]
[[fa:موشک ضد زره کورنت]]
[[he:9M133 קורנט]]
[[ru:Корнет (ПТРК)]]
[[fi:9M133 Kornet]]
[[tr:AT-14 Kornet]]
[[vi:9M133 Kornet]]
[[Category:2Fix]]