MBDA MILAN

MILAN is a Franco-West German anti-tank guided missile system whose name is the French for lightweight infantry anti-tank missile. Design began in 1962, it was ready for trials in 1971 and it was accepted for service in 1972. The missile is wire guided with semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance, so the gunner only keeps the sight on the target while the system steers the missile, and a MIRA or MILIS thermal sight lets it fire at night. It was a product of the Euromissile programme, became a standard anti-tank weapon across NATO armies, and was also built under licence in Britain and India. Improved MILAN 2 and MILAN 3 versions entered service in 1984 and 1995, and MBDA lists it among its current anti-tank missiles.