Komets Fall On Turkey

September 25, 2008: Turkey is buying 80 Russian Kornet E anti-tank systems. This is a laser guided missile with a range of 5,500 meters (during the day), or 3,500 meters (at night). The launcher has a thermal sight for use at night or in fog. The missile's warhead can penetrate 1200 mm of armor, which means that the side armor of modern tanks would be vulnerable, but not the front armor. The missile weighs 18 pounds and the launcher 42 pounds. The system was introduced in 1994 and has been sold to Syria (who apparently passed them on to Hezbollah for the 2006 war). In Lebanon, the Kornet proved more useful fired against Israeli troops in buildings.

Turkey is paying $70 million for 80 launchers and 800 missiles. Deliveries will begin next year.