NLAW: Saab’s Man-Portable Anti-Tank Missile

NLAW became the defining infantry anti-tank weapon of the early 21st century when thousands of units donated by the UK stopped Russian armoured columns outside Kyiv in February and March 2022. Developed jointly by Saab and Thales UK, it uses Predicted Line of Sight (PLOS) guidance to engage a moving tank without the operator maintaining line of sight after launch — fire it, duck, survive. In June 2026, France became the latest major NATO user to place an order.

Technical Specifications

PLOS Guidance Explained

Before firing, the operator tracks the target for 3–5 seconds through the sight. The weapon’s internal gyroscopes measure the target’s angular rate — effectively predicting where the target will be by the time the missile arrives. After launch, the missile flies to that predicted position using inertial guidance. No wire, no laser, no radio link — and no requirement to remain exposed after firing. This “fire and forget, then move” capability is what made NLAW so effective in the early months of the Russo-Ukrainian War, where Ukrainian infantry could engage advancing Russian armour from urban cover at short ranges.

France’s June 2026 Order

At Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, Saab announced that France’s General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) had placed an order for NLAW anti-tank weapons, indoor trainers and outdoor trainers, with an option for additional NLAW weapons. Deliveries are scheduled between 2026 and 2030. The contract marks France’s entry into the NLAW user community and reflects the weapon’s elevated status following its combat validation in Ukraine.