Top 10 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) in the World in 2026

Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) let a small team of infantry destroy a tank worth millions of dollars. They became symbols of Ukraine’s resistance in 2022, and they remain essential even as drones take over part of their job. This ranking weighs range, armor penetration, ease of use, guidance and real-world combat record.

1. FGM-148 Javelin (United States)

The “fire-and-forget” Javelin locks onto its target before launch and then attacks it from above, where tank armor is thinnest. With a range of up to around 4 km in its latest versions and a soft launch that allows firing from buildings, it became famous in Ukraine. Production has nearly doubled to meet global demand.

2. Spike (Israel)

Rafael’s Spike family is the world’s most widely exported ATGM, used by more than 40 countries. Versions range from the shoulder-fired Spike SR to the Spike NLOS, which can hit targets more than 30 km away from vehicles, helicopters or ships, with the operator steering it via a video link.

3. NLAW (UK and Sweden)

A short-range, disposable missile that one soldier can carry and fire with little training. Its top-attack mode and predicted-line-of-sight guidance made it deadly against Russian armor in the early months of the war.

4. Stugna-P (Ukraine)

Ukraine’s homegrown laser beam-riding missile can be fired remotely from a covered position, keeping the operator safe. It has destroyed large numbers of Russian tanks and even helicopters.

5. 9M133 Kornet (Russia)

A heavy, laser beam-riding missile with a tandem warhead that has destroyed modern Western tanks in the Middle East and Ukraine. Widely exported and copied, it is one of the most combat-proven ATGMs ever made.

6. BGM-71 TOW-2B (United States)

An old design kept current with top-attack warheads, the TOW remains the standard heavy ATGM on Bradleys, Humvees and helicopters around the world.

7. Akeron MP / MMP (France)

A modern fire-and-forget missile with a dual seeker and a range of up to 4 km or more, replacing France’s older MILAN.

8. Brimstone (UK)

Originally air-launched, Brimstone has been fired from ground launchers in Ukraine against armor and other targets, with a range far beyond typical infantry missiles. Brimstone 3 is about to enter service.

9. HJ-12 Red Arrow (China)

China’s answer to the Javelin, a fire-and-forget missile with top-attack capability, offered for export.

10. OMTAS (Türkiye)

Roketsan’s medium-range ATGM, with an imaging infrared seeker and fire-and-forget capability, deployed on Turkish armored vehicles and offered to export customers.

Are ATGMs being replaced by drones?

FPV drones now destroy many tanks in Ukraine at a fraction of the cost. But ATGMs still matter: they are faster, harder to jam and more reliable in bad weather. Armies are increasingly combining both, while tanks add active protection systems that can shoot down incoming missiles.

Featured image: U.S. Army / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons