(VIDEO) Anti-Tank Weapons Used by Hezbollah Displayed at DSA 2024

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Several types of weaponry believed to be used by the armed group Hezbollah against Israeli occupying forces in southern Lebanon were recently showcased at a defense and security exhibition that concluded in Kuala Lumpur.

Visitors to the Iranian Pavilion at the Defence Services Asia and National Security (DSA & NATSEC 2024) had the opportunity to closely examine several systems reportedly now widely employed by Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

One advanced anti-tank weapon system from Iran featured at DSA & NATSEC 2024 is the “ALMAS,” which has reportedly been used by Hezbollah fighters to target Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon.

 In January, Hezbollah fighters reportedly used the Iranian-made “ALMAS” anti-tank guided missile for the first time against Israeli positions in southern Lebanon.

Regional military analysts claim that this third-generation anti-tank guided missile was developed by reverse-engineering Israel’s “Spike” missile, which Hezbollah fighters had allegedly captured from the Israeli military during the 2006 conflict in southern Lebanon and subsequently handed over to Iran.

 

Iranian weapons experts who obtained the “Spike” missile system then reverse-engineered this modern weapon system to produce the “ALMAS” anti-tank guided missile system.

Unveiled by Iran in 2021, the “ALMAS” system includes variants that can be launched from the shoulder, air, or vehicles.

Like the “Spike” missile, the “ALMAS” also employs a fiber-optic wire for a “fire-observe-and-update” mode, allowing operators to guide the missile with high precision towards the target.

In addition to the fiber-optic variant, the “ALMAS” missile also features a “fire-and-forget” variant, requiring the operator only to “lock-on” to the target and allow the missile to proceed to its destination.

 The “ALMAS” missile is capable of hitting targets up to 8km away.

 

A video released by Hezbollah fighters demonstrating the use of the “ALMAS” anti-tank guided missile for the first time showed the missile ascending briefly before diving to strike a dome believed to house Israeli radar equipment.

The Israeli military facility, housing radar and other sensitive equipment on a high hill, aims to enable the monitoring of the town of Naqoura and its surrounding areas in southern Lebanon.

Another anti-tank weapon system on display at the Iranian Pavilion at DSA & NATSEC 2024, widely reported to be in use by Hezbollah fighters, is called “Tharallah,” employing the “Dehlavieh” guided missile.

Introduced by Hezbollah in 2015, the “Tharallah” launcher system has been tested in several battles against Israeli Merkava tanks and armor.

 Although operated by Hezbollah fighters since 2015, the group only showcased this anti-tank missile in 2023 during a training exercise by its members.

The “Tharallah” anti-tank guided missile system is equipped with two “Dehlavieh” missiles launched at 0.4-second intervals, aimed at defeating the “Trophy” active protection system installed on Merkava tanks.

“Dehlavieh” is an Iranian-made variant of the Russian “Kornet” missile.

The deployment of two “Dehlavieh” missiles in the “Tharallah” system is specifically intended to counter the APS “Trophy” system on Merkava tanks.

Another anti-tank weapon system showcased by the Iranian Pavilion at DSA & NATSEC 2024 is the “PG-29V” 105mm anti-tank rocket, nearly identical to the Russian RPG-29 “Vampir.”

Hezbollah fighters are also reported to use the Iranian-made “PG-29V” anti-tank weapon extensively, particularly during the 2006 conflict with Israeli forces.

 

 With an effective range of about 300 meters, the “PG-29V” has reportedly been successful in destroying many Israeli Merkava tanks, although the exact number of tanks destroyed has never been disclosed by Israel.

However, the effectiveness of the “PG-29V” anti-tank weapon used by Hezbollah fighters has been acknowledged. — DSA