Russia Begins Deployment of P157-2 Khrizantema-S In The Ukrainian War
In response to Ukraine's counterattack, which relied on the supply of combat vehicles from Western countries.
Russia has anticipated deploying various types of landmines, kamikaze drones, and, of course, anti-tank weapons.
And speaking of anti-tank weapons, one of the so-called 'latest' deployed by Russia is the 9P157-2 Khrizantema-S.
Although it is not a new defense system because it was introduced in 1996, the site armyrecognition.com (dated June 22, 2023) states that the Khrizantema-S has only been seen being used by Russian troops against Western-produced tanks operated by Ukrainian.
To counter modern western tanks used by the Ukrainian army.
Russian forces deployed one of the most efficient anti-tank armored vehicles, known as the Khrizantema-S, with a code designation in the Russian military as 9P157-2.
The missile fired by the Khrizantema-S has the ability to penetrate the layers of protection on armored personnel carriers, both passive and reactive.
In addition, the released missiles can also shoot down low-flying aircraft, defensive infrastructure, and enemy troops.
According to Russian sources, the three Khrizantema-S 9P157-2 units have the capacity to engage 14 enemy tanks and eliminate a minimum of sixty percent of the offensive force.
The adoption of a dual guidance system guarantees resistance to electronic interference and the ability to function in any weather condition, regardless of day or night.
By Russia, the 9P157 Khrizantema-S was predicted as an executioner for NATO's Main Battle Tank (MBT), such as the M1A2 Abrams and Leopard 2 series.
The 9P157 Khrizantema-S carries the 9M123 Khrizantema supersonic anti-tank missile; this missile was created to deal with NATO MBTs.
The 9M123 missile has a high-power warhead with a maximum range of 6,000 meters and a maximum speed of 400 meters per second.
The 9M123 is equipped with a Thermobaric and HEAT (High Explosive anti-tank) warhead designed to penetrate up to 1000 millimeters of armor.
NATO labels 9M123 an AT-15 Springer.
Designed in 1996 by KB Mashinostroyeniya, this missile has only been put into operation by Russia since 2005 and has been tested during the conflict in Libya.
The hallmark of the 9M123 is that it has a weight of 46 kg and a length of 2.05 meters.
The warhead weighs 6–8 kg and is triggered by an impact fuze.
Apart from being installed on the 9P157 Khrizantema-S combat helicopter, this missile is also a mainstay weapon on the Mil Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopter.
In order to support the accuracy of the shot, the 9P157 Khrizantema-S is equipped with a Waveband radar, which functions to detect the presence of enemy tanks.
This radar is installed automatically and can be turned up and down when shooting.
In addition, the radar on this tank also plays a role in simultaneously controlling the missile and guiding it to the target.
The unique feature of this missile is that it has two modes of guidance.
Namely automatic, which is guided by a radar, and semi-automatic, which is guided by a laser.
The radar in this infantry fighting vehicle can be hidden in the tank body, and this missile can one day appear if you want to carry out an attack.
Netizens in Indonesia are familiar with the 9P157 Khrizantema-S mounted on the BMP-3 tank platform.
Long story short, the 9P157 Khrizantema-S is a BMP-3 variant that has been modified by the KBM Engineering Design Bureau in Moscow.
The infantry fighting vehicle prototype was made in 1990 but was introduced to the public for the first time in 1996.