Introduction

The 9P157 is a modern tank destroyer of Russian origin. It was developed as the land based launch platform for the 9M123 Khrizantema missile. Compared to the older 9P149 Shturm-S tank destroyer the 9P157 uses a BMP-3 chassis, newer missile and dual guidance mode. The mission and design philosophy remain similar: to destroy enemy tanks using a high velocity ant-tank missile from a stand-off range ambush position.

Design

The 9P157 is based on the BMP-3 chassis but is not fitted with a turret. Instead the troop compartment is filled with a twin round retractable pedestal launcher connected to an automatic loader. The 9P157 has an optical sight with laser for SACLOS guidance of the laser guided version of the 9M123 missile. Additionally a retractable radar is mounted for detecting targets for the millimetric wave (MMW) radar version of the 9M123.

Protection

The main protection comes from the stand-off engagement range and low silhouette. Furthermore, 9P157 is operated under full armor protection, with missiles being reloaded automatically. The BMP-3 chassis with steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. Over the frontal arc it may also resist heavy machine gun fire. An NBC system is fitted as standard.

Firepower

The 9P157 carries 15 missiles of which two are ready to fire. The fast 9M123 missile is able to destroy even the most modern tanks with its powerful tandem HEAT warhead and has a maximum range of 6 km. A variant with thermobaric warhead is also available. Rate of fire is about 4 missiles per minute. Reportedly the 9P157 may engage two targets at once, possibly only when using radar guided missiles. The two modes of guidance allows for operation in ECM environments. The 9P157 is also able to engage low flying helicopters using the MMW radar.

Mobility

The tracked BMP-3 chassis allows for a good all terrain mobility. The 500 hp diesel engine provides a maximum speed of 70 km/h. As with the original BMP-3 the 9P157 is fully amphibious.

Users

The 9P157 has been in use in limited numbers with Russian forces since 2004. A total of 14 vehicles were sold to Libya where at least one has been used in the 2011 Libyan conflict. Azerbaijan is the main export customer.

The 9P157 Khrizantema-S is intended to be used as a group of vehicles. Within the group a command post vehicle distributes targets over the vehicles. The launch vehicle can however be used on its own as a standalone combat vehicle.