Pirat ATGM Aims to Redefine Anti-Tank Warfare in Age of Autonomous Vehicles.

At the MSPO 2024 exhibition in Kielce, Poland, the Pirat Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system was showcased, representing a joint technological advancement between Poland and Ukraine. Designed to neutralize ground and aerial targets, this lightweight, next-generation missile is particularly effective against modern armored vehicles, even those equipped with reactive armor.
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The Pirat is a Polish Anti-Tank Guided Missile system. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Pirat ATGM was developed to meet the military's need for flexibility, precision, and the ability to operate in various conditions, both day and night.

One of the missile's key features is its semi-active laser guidance system, enabling precise strikes on laser-illuminated targets. This guidance method ensures a top-down attack trajectory, highly effective for piercing enemy vehicle armor, especially when targets are fortified or concealed in trenches.

The Pirat comes in several versions, including the infantry-focused Pirat 1, which boasts a maximum range of 2,500 meters. It can be equipped with different 2.5 kg warheads, such as armor-piercing, thermobaric, and explosive fragmentation types. Another version, Pirat 2, offers a reduced flight time, hitting its target in just 5.5 seconds at maximum range, increasing its effectiveness in close combat.

Weighing 10 kg with a diameter of 107 mm, the Pirat has already demonstrated its ability to penetrate 550 mm of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). Its use with unmanned platforms like the Perun UGV underscores Poland’s defense industry's innovative approach, combining advanced weaponry and robotics for autonomous reconnaissance and combat operations. The integration of the Pirat missile on autonomous vehicles enhances tactical flexibility and operator safety by reducing direct exposure to combat zones.

This collaboration between Poland and Ukraine reflects a strategic partnership in the face of shared threats, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where anti-tank capabilities play a crucial role.

The successful presentation of the Pirat at MSPO 2024 reaffirms the growing importance of lightweight yet technologically advanced weapons systems in modern warfare, where mobility and precision are becoming top priorities for military forces.