AFU affect Russian positions and equipment with RBS-17

11 August, 2023 RBS-17 missile system of the Armed Forces. August 2023. Photo credits: ArmyInform

The Ukrainian military uses Swedish RBS-17 missile systems to defeat enemy ground targets. The soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine told about the use of these weapons, writes ArmyInform. Usually, the targets of this system are enemy firing positions, dugouts or lightly armored vehicles.

According to a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the call sign "Banker," the RBS-17 (Robot-17) missile system, which fires the ground version of the AGM-114C Hellfire missile, consists of two sub-systems: one is operated by the crew that is responsible for the laser designator, and another one is by the crew of the launcher. The crews operate at a distance from each other while communicating on the radio, and on the command of the laser crew commander, launch the guided missile at the selected target of the enemy. The serviceman noted that the laser sub-system could operate both day and night.

RBS-17 missile complex with laser guidance of the Armed Forces.

August 2023. Photo credits: ArmyInform

According to the soldiers, in the Armed Forces of Ukraine such systems have either coastguard units or the ones operating on the ground. For both crews of the Swedish RBS-17 system, a total of 5 people is needed: two - for a targeting system, three - for a launcher.

The system also includes a vehicle for transporting the system and personnel. The military says that the laser sub-system, usually, is located on the front line in order to have a line of sight to the target. At the same time, a launcher with a missile can be located several kilometers - in the depth of positions.

The Ukrainian military uses RBS-17 in the eastern and southern regions. The missile flies from 100 to 400 meters above the ground and searches for a laser spot with which the selected target is indicated. RBS-17 can fire both in line of sight and from indirect firing positions.

The defeat distance is up to 8 kilometers and depends on the firing mode.

RBS-17 nose part of the missile with laser guidance. Photo credits: ArmyInform

Generally, when using a missile with a high-explosive warhead, the targets are firing positions of Russian invaders, dugouts or lightly armored vehicles. Also, according to "Banker," there are also missiles with thermobaric and HEAT warheads.

The weight of the rocket is about 50 kg, the weight of the warhead is 8 kg, and the flight speed is up to 450 m/s.

Swedish RBS-17. Photo credits: Swedish media

RBS-17 Ukraine received military assistance from Sweden. It is worth noting that the Swedish military uses it as a short-range anti-ship missile system with laser guidance to protect the coast and islands from landing operations on small boats.

In October last year, there was a video of these weapons being used by the Ukrainian military at the front.

The footage shows the simultaneous launch of two missiles against ground targets.