Shturm-S anti-tank self-propelled systems delivered to Russian Western Military District.

Russian artillery units of the combined arms army of the Western Military District have received more than ten 9P149 Shturm-S anti-tank missile systems.

9P149 Shturm-S anti-tank missile system firing a 9M114 Kokon anti-tank missile (Picture source: Wikipedia)

The name “Shturm" is somehow a reminiscence of the German SturmGeschutz (assault gun) of World War 2. The Shturm-S fires radio-guided anti-tank missiles. The basic system dates back to the Soviet Union era but has been upgraded since. Its NATO code was originally AT-6 Spiral. The missile itself is known as the 9M114 Kokon (Cocoon).

This missile was developed by the Kolomna Machine Design Bureau, which was also responsible for the 3M6 Shmel and 9M14 Malyutka. Work on the missile began in 1967, with the hope of using the missile on Mi-24s attack helicopters. However, delays forced the design of an upgraded Falanga system (9M17 Skorpion) using SACLOS guidance as a stopgap. Testing of the missile was completed in 1974, and it was accepted into service in 1976. The missile has no direct western counterpart, though, in role, it is closest to the AGM-114 Hellfire, and in guidance method, to the MGM-18 Lacrosse.

It was originally given the NATO designation AS-8, before being redesignated as AT-6.