Hi,
One of the weapons we got from the war reserves store unit is a LAW missile (light anti-tank weapon).
It is a pretty light weapon to carry, but on the other hand cannot damage much.
Like many of the weapons and military equipment we use (like the Nagmash), it was supplied to the IDF on the of airlift of Yom Kippur war on 1973.
The first time it was used by the IDF was on Operation Gown on the Yom Kippur war. A force of Paratroopers brigade reconnaissance company (Sayeret Tzanhanim) was sent to Iraq – Syrian – Jordan border (250 km inside Syria) to stop a shipment of military equipment and forces for Syrian front.
The force was sent over with LAW missiles out of the box. You may not be familiar with it (I guess you have practice firing of any kind), but before you use any kind of weapon, you need to practice using it (open it, aiming and shooting) .
Well, they did not practice but used it perfectly. The problem is that practice using live ammunition is very expensive, so many times we are using a cheaper version of the weapon that can be fired but doesn’t explode. It has a gypsum instead of explosives, and it covers the target in white.
Yes, you guessed right . They took the first pack that was delivered (they had less than 12 hours for the all operation) and those were the training LAW missiles. When they shoot the tanks, it just covered them in white instead of tiring them apart.
The force then shot 2 trucks and a tank carrier using RPG and FN MAG and blow the bridge (with 160kg of explosives). The operation was successful as it delayed the Iraqi force (16,000 soldiers and 250 tanks) to the Syrian front.
Take Care
Gad
LAW in closed position
LAW in extended position and firing position
Firing a LAW in a firing range