427Views 12Comments
Pakistan acquired Instalaza Alcotán-100 anti-tank rocket systems
In its 2015-2016 report, the Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) disclosed that the Pakistan Army bought recoilless Alcotán-100 anti-tank rocket systems from the Spanish defence vendor Instalaza
In an order valued $24.75 million U.S., Pakistan ordered 158 VOSEL (M2) fire control systems and 1,413 Alcotán AT (M2) 100 mm anti-tank rockets.
Instalaza lists the VOSEL (M2) as a reusable fire control unit with an integrated night vision-capable system that provides the gunner with a “future aiming point to maximize … hit probability” against moving targets. As per Instalaza, future aiming is attained by calculating the target’s position and trajectory, measuring the propellant temperature and calculating the projectile trajectory.
The Alcotán AT rocket has an effective range of 600 m and can penetrate up to 700 mm in steel armour and explosive reactive armour (ERA). Combined, the VOSEL (M2) and Alcotán-100 weigh 14.5 kg (with the Alcotán-100 weighing 10.5 kg).
Notes & Comments:
Instalaza marketed the Alcotán-100 at Pakistan’s biennial defence exhibition, IDEAS, in November. It had partnered with the Pakistani company Metal Engineering Works to market the system in Pakistan.
Unlike the Saab Carl Gustaf M3/M4 and even Instalaza’s C90, the Alcotán is a single-shot/use system. In other words, the rocket and rocket-launcher are one munition; once the rocket is fired, the launcher is discarded. However, the VOSEL (M2) sight is reusable. The advantage with these kinds of systems (as advertised with the similar Saab AT4) is that a single-shot system is cheaper – and simpler – to manufacture. Despite being a large-calibre munition (i.e. 100 mm) it is also relatively light, enabling the user to ferry the same by foot.
Munitions such as the Alcotán-100 are infantry-use weapons for multiple threats including, among others, enemy vehicles and bunkers. The optional Alcotán BIV (M2) and Alcotán ABK (M2) munitions provide dual anti-armour and fragmentation and anti-bunker capabilities, respectively.
12 Comments
by Aamir
Interesting purchase by the army, gives the army greater punch & fills the gap between the TOW/Green Arrow & the RPG, hoping this replaces the RPG.
by Keyser
Don’t be too quick to get rid of systems like the RPG. It has uses that this system cannot fill.
by Choota Don
this is to destroy Indian posts on loc
by Aaif khan
RPG is like an artillery/mortar shells. Only a upgraded RPG can replace an RPG.
I bekive that Tow and bakhtar shikan will be upgraded only by local production.
by STAN
158 is good 15800 would be better with that in place the nuclear threshold won’t be reached
by Aamir
The RPG will be replaced one way or the other, I think this one of the more viable systems that is out there.. while is true that the RPG has its uses, its greatest drawback is it accuracy or rather inaccuracy beyond 150 meters. Plus it’s ineffectiveness against tanks and other armored vehicles.
by Aamir
All the RPG is a 40mm rocket propelled grenade and there are numerous replacement options out there.
by Keyser
The Alcotán-100 system like most others out there is heavy (14KG instead of 7)and adds to the burden of the bog standard infantryman. I wouldn’t discount the effect of extra weight on a soldier.The RPG has upgraded TANDEM charge rounds,Thermobaric rounds Frag rounds. it can be used as a light mortar a anti tank weapon. It has uses beyond bog standard anti tank work. How do you think those black hawks got shot down in Somalia?
I think sometimes people get sucked into what I call “Shiny kit syndrome”
by Aamir
POF Wah produces one type of RPG round which is the HEAT round. This is copy of the PG-7V the 85mm round, is only useful against RHA up to 300mm. This the round used by the PA.
Here is the link: http://www.pof.gov.pk/productdetail/Tank_AND_Anti_Tank_Ammunition/40_MM_HEAT_P1_MK1_(RPG-7P)/
by Steve
This is possibly for bunkers on LOC as interestingly not large numbers. Buying M2 version does not make sense for that though and a basic version would be enough. There had been a lot of crowing about bunkers recently. Bunkers have stone walls not easy to penetrate with RPG and a bunker with a few soldiers in it is not worth wasting an expensive TOW/BS on.
by Steve
We are pleased the army is keeping ahead of the game and adding specific kit when needed. About RPG: The Black Hawks were downed because Americans were not aware of AQ training people to fire on tail rotors and did not take precautions, flying very low. In Af Apaches survived direct RPG hits. Point is it’s a basic infantry weapon with limited use, easily defeated by up armouring or staying out of range. Alcotán-100 has a 600m range which you need on the LOC, and a large warhead which infantry will aim across a valley. It is not a guided weapon. I bet it’s for Indian bunkers. Pakistan army is famously cost effective and does not do ‘shiny kit syndrome’. We do need a light howitzer on the LOC which is portable by Mi-35. Bilal did an article on it a few months ago.
by Bilal Khan
It’s a valid concept, but I am a tad worried about the cost – I hope most of it is for the sight/FCS. The analogous Saab AT4 is the system to beat, especially since it’s ~$1,500 a single-shot system!