A relatively new weapon, the 9M133 Kornet is an anti-tank guided missile that originated in Russia in 1998. This missile carries the GRAU designation of 9M133 and a NATO reporting name of AT-14 Spriggan. The weapon features the missile itself, a tripod support assembly, and an integrated optics fit. The 9M133 Kornet system vastly improved upon the capabilities of previous anti-tank missile system that were currently in service with the Russian Army.

The missile component of the 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided weapon is a fin-stabilized, solid-rocket fuel propellant development that relies on SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line-of-Sight) last beam-riding guidance. This means that the operator must continually point to the designator at the target for the duration of the missile’s flight. It supports HEAT (High-Explosive, Anti-Tank) or thermobaric (fuel-air explosive) warheads. The overall system weights 29 kilograms (with the launch tube attached) and is 1,200mm long with a diameter of 152mm. The 9M133 Kornet is effective against all manner of armor protection to date, including Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA) and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) that are so commonly used in many frontline battle tanks. The weapon is detonated via an impact fuse and range is out to approximately 10,000 meters at its maximum. The 9M133 Kornet system is typically operated by a crew of only two and may be fired from either a traditional tripod assembly or form the cover of an armor vehicle (when the launcher is fitted to the vehicle itself).

There are three notable variants of the 9M133 Kornet system series:

• 9M133-1 – the standard 9M133 missile that is fitted with a thermobaric warhead

• Kornet-D – combats slower moving threats that are land-based or aerial objects (including helicopters)

• Kornet-E – export equivalent of the 9M133