Paras train with anti-tank weapons proven deadly for Ukraine against Russian armour

A Javelin missile is fired from the launcher then its rocket motor kicks in

Members of the Parachute Regiment have been training with a variety of weapons that have proved deadly to Russian armour on the frontline in Ukraine.

The heavy weapons platoons from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment were teaching their skills to new soldiers during their annual live-fire training cadres.

Airborne infanteers of the Machine Gun Platoon operated the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun in the sustained fire role, as well as the L111A1 12.7mm (.50 cal) Heavy Machine Gun and 40mm Grenade Machine Gun.

Meanwhile, the paras from the Anti Tank Platoon carried out their training with the NLAW (Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon) and the Javelin - which has proved to be a tank-killer in Ukraine.

While the NLAW is a lightweight, shoulder-fired, single-use missile system, the Javelin is reusable, with a Javelin team typically being composed of the operator and ammunition bearer.

When the missile is fired from the launcher it travels a safe distance away from the operator before its main rocket motors ignite – this is known as a "soft launch".

The soldiers of 2 Para's Anti Tank Platoon are also equipped with E-Bikes and drones, enabling them to hunt and kill armour over increased distances.

The Javelin is produced by a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who say the weapons system has been used to carry out more than 5,000 successful engagements.

In the video above, one soldier can be seen launching a missile from a Javelin – a weapon that was used to great effect in Iraq and Afghanistan – and now Ukraine.

Washington has sent thousands of Javelins to Ukraine, where the fire-and-forget missiles have been used to knock out a range of Russian armour, including the T-90 main battle tank.