View source for MILAN

{{Short description|Franco-German anti-tank missile}}
{{About||the Italian city|Milan|other uses|Milan (disambiguation)}}
{{Lead too short|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| image              = Tag der Bundeswehr Jagel 2019 HJL 13 noBG.png
| image_size         = 200
| caption            = MILAN missile launcher with tripod.
| name               = MILAN
| type               = [[Anti-tank missile]]
| origin             = France, [[West Germany]]
| wars               = [[South African Border War]]<br />[[Chadian-Libyan conflict]]<br />[[Toyota War]]<br />[[Western Sahara War]]<ref name='Le Monde efforts'>{{cite news|first=Roland |last=Delcour|title=À Ras-el-Khanfra, les efforts du Polisario pour rompre le mur de sécurité entourant le "Sahara utile" ont échoué|date=19 January 1982|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1982/01/19/a-ras-el-khanfra-les-efforts-du-polisario-pour-rompre-le-mur-de-securite-entourant-le-sahara-utile-ont-echoue_3108017_1819218.html|language=fr|newspaper=[[Le Monde]]}}</ref><br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br />[[Falklands War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[2003 invasion of Iraq]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Opération Licorne]]<ref>{{cite news|language=fr|title=Soldats tués à Bouaké : la France a laissé faire|work=[[Libération]]|date=3 July 2006|first=Thomas|last=Hofnung|url=http://www.liberation.fr/evenement/2006/07/03/soldats-tues-a-bouake-la-france-a-laisse-faire_44887|access-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905024506/http://www.liberation.fr/evenement/2006/07/03/soldats-tues-a-bouake-la-france-a-laisse-faire_44887|archive-date=5 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><br />[[Libyan Civil War (2011)|Libyan Civil War]]<br />[[Northern Mali Conflict]]<ref name="Serval">{{cite magazine|title=Infantry units fires during OP Serval|first=Thibault|last=Capdeville|pages=55–58|url=http://www.emd.terre.defense.gouv.fr/img/emd/fantassin/2014_n32_fantassins.pdf|magazine=Fantassins|issue=32|date=Spring 2014|access-date=12 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222826/http://www.emd.terre.defense.gouv.fr/img/emd/fantassin/2014_n32_fantassins.pdf|archive-date=15 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />[[Operation Sangaris]]<ref name="RFI">{{cite news|language=fr|url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20140506-rca-violent-accrochage-entre-sangaris-rebelles-boguila/|title=RCA: violent accrochage entre Sangaris et des rebelles à Boguila|work=[[Radio France Internationale]]|access-date=3 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904052513/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20140506-rca-violent-accrochage-entre-sangaris-rebelles-boguila/|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><br />[[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]<br />[[Syrian Civil War]]<br />[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
<!-- | era                = Cold War, modern PARAMETER UNSUPPORTED -->| launch_platform    = Individual, vehicle
<!-- | target = Vehicle, fortification PARAMETER UNSUPPORTED -->| manufacturer       = [[MBDA]]<br />''Also produced under license by:''<br />[[Bharat Dynamics]] (India)<br />[[BAe Dynamics]] (United Kingdom)
| design_date        = 1970s
| production_date    = 1971
| service            = 1972–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|operators]]''
| spec_label         = MILAN 3
| diameter           = {{convert|0.115|m|in|abbr=on}}
| wingspan           = {{convert|0.26|m|in|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|1.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight             = 16.4 kg<ref>{{cite web |title=Milan |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/milan.htm |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101144404/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/milan.htm |archive-date=1 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| speed              = {{convert|200|m/s|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|200|–|2,000|m|abbr=on}};<br />3,000 m (MILAN ER)
| ceiling            = 
| filling            = Single or [[Tandem-charge|tandem]] [[High-explosive anti-tank|HEAT]]
| detonation         = contact
| engine             = solid-fuel rocket
| steering           = Jet deflector
| guidance           = [[Semi-automatic command to line of sight|SACLOS]] wire
| variants           = See ''[[#Variants|variants]]''
| unit_cost          = £7,500 (1984)<ref>{{citation |title=Written Answers Defence: Weapons and Equipment (Costs)|work= [[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date= 10 July 1984 |volume=63 |at=column 453W |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1984/jul/10/weapons-and-equipment-costs#S6CV0063P0_19840710_CWA_48|access-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617152057/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1984/jul/10/weapons-and-equipment-costs#S6CV0063P0_19840710_CWA_48|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| number             = 350,000 missiles, 10,000 launchers
}}

'''MILAN''' (French for '''Missile d'Infanterie Léger Antichar''', "Lightweight Infantry Anti-tank Missile"; German for [[Kite (bird)|kite]] [[raptor (bird)|raptor]] or [[Milvus]]) is a Franco-West German [[anti-tank guided missile]] system. Design of the MILAN began in 1962; it was ready for trials in 1971, and accepted for service in 1972. It is a [[Wire-guided missile|wire-guided]] [[semi-automatic command to line of sight]] (SACLOS) missile, which means the sight of the launch unit must be aimed at a target to guide the missile. The MILAN can be equipped with a MIRA or MILIS thermal sight to give it night-firing ability.

"Milan" is also a common name in French and German to designate a [[Kite (bird)|kite]] bird, thus falling in line with the [[Bundeswehr|Federal Defence]] naming convention to often use animal names as designators for high-value weapon systems. 

==Background==
MILAN is a product of [[Euromissile]], a Franco-West German missile development program dating back to the 1960s. The system entered service in 1972 as a second generation anti-tank weapon and soon became a standard anti-tank weapon throughout [[NATO]], in use by most of the alliance's individual armies.<ref name="ARG">{{cite web |author=ARG |title=MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Missile |website=Military-Today.com |url=http://www.military-today.com/missiles/milan.htm |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227162522/http://www.military-today.com/missiles/milan.htm |archive-date=27 February 2018 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Consisting of two main components, the launcher and the missile, the MILAN system uses a [[semi-automatic command to line of sight]] (SACLOS) command guidance system. It tracks the missile either by a tail-mounted [[infrared]] lamp or an electronic-flash lamp, depending on the model. Because it is guided by wire by an operator, the missile cannot be affected by [[radio jamming]] or [[flare (countermeasure)|flares]]. However, drawbacks include short range, exposure of the operator, and problems with overland powerlines.

The MILAN 2 variant, which entered service with the French, German and British armies in 1984, uses an improved 115&nbsp;mm [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) [[shaped charge]] warhead. The MILAN 3 entered service with the French army in 1995 and features a new-generation localizer that makes the system more difficult to jam electronically.<ref name="Pike 2018">{{cite web |last=Pike |first=John |title=Milan |website=GlobalSecurity.org |date=9 March 2018 |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/milan.htm |access-date=10 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135944/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/milan.htm |archive-date=10 March 2018}}</ref>

==Variants==
{{Multiple image
|direction=vertical
|width=260
|header=MILAN models
|image1=Euromissile Milan img 2355.jpg
|caption1=MILAN 1.
|image2=MILAN (2) 1986.jpg
|caption2=MILAN II with stand-off probe which almost doubles penetration.
|image3=Targetsight.MILAN.jpg
|caption3=View through the optical sight.
}}
* '''MILAN''' 1: Single, main [[shaped charge]] warhead (1972), calibre 103&nbsp;mm
* '''MILAN 2''': Single, main shaped charge warhead, with standoff probe to increase penetration (1984) – see photo to right, calibre 115&nbsp;mm
* '''MILAN 2T''': Tandem shaped charge warheads to defeat reactive armour (1993)
* '''MILAN 3''': Tandem, shaped charge warheads (1996) and electronic beacon to defeat [[Shtora]] jammer
* '''MILAN ER''': Extended range (3,000&nbsp;m) and improved penetration

The later MILAN models have [[tandem-charge]] HEAT warheads. This was done to keep pace with developments in Soviet armour technology: their tanks began to appear with [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA), which could defeat earlier [[anti-tank guided missile]]s (ATGMs). The smaller precursor HEAT warhead penetrates and detonates the ERA tiles, exposing the way for the main HEAT warhead to penetrate the armour behind. Early missile versions used a simple flare to show the launch post their position left–right and above–below the crosshair, which then led to steering commands (SACLOS guidance). This was exploited with IR jammers such as Soviet Shtora that created a strong signal that was always on target, and thus led to wrong steering commands. The later electronic IR beacon used a coded signal sequence (switching between emitting and not emitting) that enabled the launch post to discern the missile's beacon from the jammer.

Both the explosive reactive armour and the guidance jamming provided excellent frontal protection for well-equipped Warsaw Pact main battle tanks against Milan and other 1980's SACLOS-guided anti-tank missiles until both were countered through technical means after the end of the Cold War.

==Combat use==
===Afghanistan===
MILAN missile systems were among the numerous weapons sent to the [[Mujahideen]] in Afghanistan in the 1980s by the United States to combat Soviet troops.<ref name="Pirseyedi2000">{{cite book|author=Bobi Pirseyedi|title=The Small Arms Problem in Central Asia: Features and Implications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LtZqsUyjD6IC&pg=PA17|year=2000|publisher=United Nations Publications UNIDIR|isbn=978-92-9045-134-1|pages=17–}}</ref> The MILAN had a devastating effect on Soviet armor, having a similar effect on tanks and armored personnel carriers as [[FIM-92 Stinger|Stinger missiles]] had had on Soviet helicopters.<ref name="DevineLoeb2014">{{cite book|author1=Jack Devine|author2=Vernon Loeb|title=Good Hunting: An American Spymaster's Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a3Z_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA103|date=3 June 2014|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=978-0-374-13032-9|pages=103–}}</ref> In 2010, French troops killed four Afghan civilians in [[Kapisa Province]] using a MILAN system during a firefight.<ref name="France 24 2010">{{cite web |title=French army claims responsibility for four civilian deaths in Afghanistan |publisher=France 24 |date=29 April 2010 |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100429-afghanistan-french-army-admits-accidentally-killed-four-afghan-civilians |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310140025/http://www.france24.com/en/20100429-afghanistan-french-army-admits-accidentally-killed-four-afghan-civilians |archive-date=10 March 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Chadian–Libyan conflict===
MILAN missiles provided by the French government saw common usage during the [[Chadian–Libyan_conflict|war between Chad and Libya]] where they were used by Chadian forces. Often mounted on Toyota pickup trucks, the missiles successfully engaged Libyan armour in the [[Aouzou Strip]] including [[T-55]] tanks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/16/opinion/topics-of-the-times-toyotas-and-tanks.html|title=TOPICS OF THE TIMES; Toyotas and Tanks|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 August 1987|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093416/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/16/opinion/topics-of-the-times-toyotas-and-tanks.html|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Falklands War===
In 1982, the ruling [[military junta]] in Argentina launched the invasion of the [[British Overseas Territories|UK overseas territory]] of the [[1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands|Falkland Islands]], leading to the [[Falklands War]]. British forces used MILAN, along with the [[M72 LAW#United Kingdom|M72 LAW]] and [[Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle|Carl Gustaf]], in a 'bunker buster' role. The MILAN saw use in the battles for [[Battle of Goose Green|Goose Green]], [[Battle of Mount Longdon|Mount Longdon]], [[Battle of Two Sisters|Two Sisters]] and [[Battle of Wireless Ridge|Wireless Ridge]].<ref>''Falklands War Operations Manual''. Haynes, Chris McNab, 2018, {{ISBN|978 1 78521 185 0}}</ref>

===Gulf War===
MILAN was used by both coalition and Iraqi forces during the [[Persian Gulf War]], with a MILAN launcher operated by French forces claiming to have destroyed seven [[T-55]] tanks.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bourque |first=Stephen Alan |title=Jayhawk! the VII Corps in the Persian Gulf War |publisher=United States Department of the Army}}</ref> Iraqi operated MILAN missiles were supplied by the French government during the 1980s and were used by Iraqi forces during both Gulf Wars.

===Iraq===
In 2015, Germany supplied the [[Peshmerga]] with 30 MILAN launchers and over 500 missiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/130420152|title=Germany sends more MILAN rockets to thwart ISIS suicide bombers|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171736/http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/130420152|archive-date=9 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/kampf-gegen-is-mehr-deutsche-waffen-fuer-kurden/11340368.html|title=Kampf gegen IS: Mehr deutsche Waffen für Kurden|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093153/https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/kampf-gegen-is-mehr-deutsche-waffen-fuer-kurden/11340368.html|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Syria===
[[Syria]] ordered about 200 launchers and 4,000 missiles in 1977 which were delivered in 1978-1979 and used by the Syrians during the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. The Syrian army used Milan missiles against Israeli tanks in Lebanon in 1982.<ref name="France Soir"/> The missiles were in service during the [[Syrian Civil War]], fielded by the [[Republican Guard (Syria)|Republican Guard]].<ref name ="104th Brigade">{{cite news|title=La 104ème brigade de la Garde républicaine syrienne, troupe d'élite et étendard du régime de Damas|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/la-104eme-brigade-de-la-garde-republicaine-troupe-elite-regime-damas-combats-alep-ghouta-deir-ezzor-bachar-al-assad-issam-zahreddine-etat-islamique-arm%C3%A9e-syrienne-artillerie-druze-daech-forces-speciales|date=20 March 2017|language=fr|work=[[France-Soir]]|access-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019004114/http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/la-104eme-brigade-de-la-garde-republicaine-troupe-elite-regime-damas-combats-alep-ghouta-deir-ezzor-bachar-al-assad-issam-zahreddine-etat-islamique-arm%C3%A9e-syrienne-artillerie-druze-daech-forces-speciales|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Syrian opposition|Syrian rebels]] captured some in depots, as did [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]]. The Kurdish [[People's Protection Units|YPG]] also used Milans supplied by the [[American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War|international coalition]].<ref name="France Soir">{{cite news|title=Comment l'Etat islamique a récupéré des lance-missiles Milan français|language=fr|newspaper=[[France Soir]]|date=7 December 2018|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/en-coop-matteo-puxton/comment-etat-islamique-recupere-des-lance-missiles-milan-francais|trans-title=How ISIS got French Milan missiles|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207212200/http://www.francesoir.fr/en-coop-matteo-puxton/comment-etat-islamique-recupere-des-lance-missiles-milan-francais|archive-date=7 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Syrian team with Milan.jpg|thumb|right|Syrian Milan team in Lebanon, 1982.]]
===South Africa===
The first Milan version was delivered to the Special Forces and the antitank platoons in the late 1970s and 1980s at a scale of six launchers per platoon. Each platoon was organised into three antitank sections, with two ATGM launchers and two M40A1 106 mm recoilless guns or two rocket launchers.

Six SADF MILAN teams were deployed by the Special Forces in support of the Angolan UNITA guerrillas, in the Cazombo Salient in 1985 during [[Operation Wallpaper]].

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
France has sent MILAN missiles to Ukraine during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=France sending 'significant equipment' to Ukraine to fight Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/22/france-sending-heavy-weapons-significant-equipment-to-ukraine |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:MILAN operators.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Operators: {{legend|#0000ff|Current}}{{legend|#ff0000|Former}} Non state operators are not shown]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries with no citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

===Current operators===
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| header            = MILAN missiles
| image1            = Marder1A3.5.jpg
| caption1          = A Bundeswehr Marder infantry fighting vehicle firing.
| image2            = MILAN P1220770.jpg
| caption2          = 2007.
| image3            = MILAN AGDUS 1.JPG
| caption3          = [[German Army]] missile equipped with ''AGDUS'' combat simulator.
| image4            = A crew of an Egyptian ranger battalion waits to parade in their Jeep YJ light vehicle armed with a MILAN portable ATGM launcher during Operation Desert Shield.JPEG
| caption4          = Vehicle mounted launcher and missiles in Egyptian service during Operation Desert Shield.
| image5            = Milan anti-tank missile striking a target.JPEG
| caption5          = Strike on training target, 2001.
}}
* {{flagcountry|Afghanistan}} – [[Afghan National Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020">{{cite book |author=<!-- human name --> |others=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |year=2020 |title=The Military Balance |volume=120 |publisher=Routledge |pages=257–504 |isbn=978-0-367-46639-8}}</ref> 271
* {{flag|Algeria}} – [[Algerian People's National Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 340
* {{flag|Bahrain}} - [[Royal Bahraini Army]]: mounted on 5 [[AIFV]]-B-Milan vehicles:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 343
*{{BIH}} - [[Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 90
*{{BOT}} - [[Botswana Defence Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29364:botswana&catid=119:african-militaries&Itemid=255|title=Botswana - defenceWeb|last=Martin|first=Guy|date=7 February 2013|website=Defenceweb.co.za|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221806/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29364:botswana&catid=119:african-militaries&Itemid=255|archive-date=21 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Brazil}} – [[Brazilian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 406
* {{flag|Burundi}} - [[National Defence Force (Burundi)|Burundi Army]] (reported):<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 465
* {{flag|Cameroon}} - [[Cameroon Armed Forces|Cameroon Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 466
* {{CHA}} – [[Chadian National Armed Forces|Chadian Ground Forces]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 469 mounted on light vehicles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.fr/story/36251/libye-retour-cavalerie-toyota|title=Libye: le retour de la "cavalerie Toyota"|date=30 March 2011|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830110544/http://www.slate.fr/story/36251/libye-retour-cavalerie-toyota|archive-date=30 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.la-croix.com/Actualite/Monde/Au-Tchad-l-argent-du-petrole-finance-surtout-les-armes-_EP_-2012-01-30-763451|title=Au Tchad, l'argent du pétrole finance surtout les armes|last=La-Croix.com|date=30 January 2012|website=La Croix|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830110501/https://www.la-croix.com/Actualite/Monde/Au-Tchad-l-argent-du-petrole-finance-surtout-les-armes-_EP_-2012-01-30-763451|archive-date=30 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{CYP}} – [[Cypriot National Guard]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 95
* {{EGY}} – [[Egyptian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 345
* {{FRA}} – [[French Army]]: Infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon.:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 105 Will be replaced by [[Missile Moyenne Portée]] (MMP) from 2017.<ref>[https://archive.today/20131207163353/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131205/DEFREG01/312050024/France-Orders-Anti-Tank-Missile-from-MBDA France Orders Anti-Tank Missile from MBDA] – Defensenews.com, 5 December 2013</ref>
* {{GAB}} - [[Gabon Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 478
* {{GER}} – [[Bundeswehr]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 109
* {{GRE}} – [[Hellenic Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 112
* {{IND}} – [[Indian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 34,100 MILAN-2T bought. License produced by [[Bharat Dynamics]] in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=Kornet to Nag missiles: Army's anti-tank warfare capabilities have undergone paradigm shift |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-day-2024-indian-army-anti-tank-warfare-capabilities-nag-helina-missiles-2488905-2024-01-15 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}} - [[Indonesian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 276
* {{IRQ}} – [[Iraqi Army]]
* {{Flag| Kurdistan}} – [[Peshmerga]]: 30 launchers and 500 missiles, delivery in two portions was announced on 31 August 2014 by German Bundeswehr. These are 1980s Milan 2 replaced by later models but still in storage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bmvg.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY4N2E2OTcyNmEzNjMwN2EyMDIwMjAyMDIw/2014-08-31%20Papier_Unterst%C3%BCtzung_E5_final.pdf|title=Unterstützung der Regierung der Autonomen Region Irakisch-Kurdistan bei der Versorgung der Flüchtlinge und beim Kampf gegen den Islamischen Staat im Nordirak (PDF)|date=31 August 2014|work=German Bundeswehr|language=de|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903180012/http://www.bmvg.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY4N2E2OTcyNmEzNjMwN2EyMDIwMjAyMDIw/2014-08-31%2520Papier_Unterst%25C3%25BCtzung_E5_final.pdf|archive-date=3 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/irak-deutschland-schickt-kurden-panzerabwehrraketen-a-989117.html|title=Irak: Deutschland schickt Kurden Panzerabwehrraketen|date=31 August 2014|work=[[Spiegel Online]]|language=de|access-date=31 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902193421/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/irak-deutschland-schickt-kurden-panzerabwehrraketen-a-989117.html|archive-date=2 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Used by the Kurds to stop [[ISIL]] [[car bomb|vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs)]].<ref>[http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/16/french-american-weapons-take-toll-on-isis-in-ground-combat.html French, American Weapons Take Toll on ISIS in Ground Combat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712124928/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/16/french-american-weapons-take-toll-on-isis-in-ground-combat.html |date=12 July 2017}} - Military.com, 16 November 2015</ref>
* {{ITA}} – [[Italian Army]] Total of 714 launchers with 17,163 missile delivered in 1990. 807 MILAN 2T ordered in 2004 and delivered in 2005 (SIPRI).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revestito.it/?id1=101&idaux=101&wiki=Forze_armate_mondiali_dal_secondo_dopoguerra_al_XXI_secolo/Italia:_esercito_3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423064933/http://www.revestito.it/?id1=101&idaux=101&wiki=Forze_armate_mondiali_dal_secondo_dopoguerra_al_XXI_secolo/Italia:_esercito_3|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 April 2014|title=Nasce " Revestito " a Messina. Una Rivista on line per tutti. Per tutti coloro che non tollerano più demagogia, privilegio, mistificazioni di poteri grossi o piccoli, che hanno messo alle strette l´umanità, la libertà, e soprattutto la dignità. Revestito ha significato ambivalente: non occorre che sia messo a nudo il re, per evento eccezionale, affinchè la natura delle cose in qualche misura si disveli. La trasparenza dovrebbe essere alla base di ogni consorzio civile e di ogni Stato di diritto che tale pretenda definirsi.|date=23 April 2014}}</ref>
* {{flag|Jordan}} - mounted on 45 [[AIFV]]-B-Milan vehicles:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 358
* {{KEN}} – [[Military of Kenya|Kenyan Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 483
* {{LBN}} – [[Lebanese Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 362
* {{LBY}} – [[Libyan National Army]]: 1,000 MILAN-3 exported between 2008 and 2011,<ref name ='SAS 2015'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-04-EN.pdf|chapter=Trade Update: After the ‘Arab Spring’|title=Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2015|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2015}}|page=102|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128065841/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> 400 systems in 2011. 
* {{MKD}} – [[Army of the Republic of Macedonia]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 126
* {{MRT}} – [[Mauritanian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 365
* {{MEX}} – [[Mexican Army]]: mounted on 8 [[Panhard]] [[Véhicule Blindé Léger|VBL]] scout cars:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 427
* {{MAR}} – [[Royal Moroccan Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 367
* {{flag|Oman}} - [[Royal Army of Oman]] and Royal Household:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 370
* {{POR}} – [[Portuguese Army]]; [[Portuguese Marines]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 137
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} [[Kurdistan Workers' Party|PKK]]:<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Kampf gegen IS-Miliz: Ausrüstung der Bundeswehr möglicherweise in die Hände der PKK gelangt|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/bundeswehr-waffen-moeglicherweise-in-haende-der-pkk-gelangt-a-1018355.html|access-date=14 February 2015|magazine=Der Spiegel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215003434/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/bundeswehr-waffen-moeglicherweise-in-haende-der-pkk-gelangt-a-1018355.html|archive-date=15 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} - [[Saudi Arabian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 373
* {{SEN}} - [[Senegalese Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 496
* {{flag|Singapore}} - [[Singapore Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 307
* {{RSA}} – [[South African Army]]: 375 missiles.<ref name=trade>{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073842/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=13 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MILAN_74_ZA">{{cite web |url=http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/balowe/SADF%20Arms%20Purchases.htm |title=SADF Arms Purchases |author=B A Lowe |date=4 January 2009 |access-date=15 December 2016 |quote=75 MILAN launchers ordered in 1973 and delivered in 1974 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220220710/http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/balowe/SADF%20Arms%20Purchases.htm |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Moukambi">
{{cite thesis |first=Victor |last=Moukambi |date=December 2008 |title=RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND FRANCE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MILITARY MATTERS, 1960-1990 |degree=Doctoral dissertation |publisher=Military Science, Stellenbosch University |location=Stellenbosch |page=116 |url=http://scholar.sun.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10019.1/1228/moukambi_relations_2008.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y |access-date=28 April 2017 |quote=In December 1973, it was reported that [Pretoria] signed a contract.. for the supply of 50 Matra 550 air-to-air missiles ..[and] a contract over the supply of 1500 Milan missiles. Source: French Defence Ministry; Historical Archives, Paris, Box No. 14 S 295, Monthly report of the French Military Attaché in South Africa, Imports from France, November 1973. Report of the French Military Attaché in South Africa, November 1973. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052500/http://scholar.sun.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10019.1/1228/moukambi_relations_2008.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y |archive-date=28 April 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref><ref name="MILAN_08_ZA">{{cite web |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=452 |title=SANDF Army, SOF "operationalising" MILAN |author=Leon Engelbrecht |date=8 October 2008 |access-date=15 December 2016 |quote=The launchers were received in 1974, but were placed in storage in 1996. SA employed the MILAN in combat in southern Angola in the 1980s. Under Project Kingfisher, 30 launchers were upgraded to Milan ADT-ER status and 300 missiles were acquired for R167.4 million. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220182122/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=452 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MILAN_11_ZA">{{cite web |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=452 |title=SA Army stocks up on Milan 3 |author=Leon Engelbrecht |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=15 December 2016 |quote=The SANDF has ordered an undisclosed further number of Milan missiles..The R57 990 630.80 purchase order was awarded to Euromissile [sic] last week. It takes the known value of Project Kingfisher – according to the Armscor Bulletin System (ABS) – to R271 076 483.37...The Kingfisher contract was placed on December 20, 2006, and initially escaped media notice. In March 2009 the military ordered a further 13 Milan ADT firing posts and four simulators under a contract worth €10.7 million (about R129.3 million at then exchange rates, but R81.5 million on the ABS. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220182122/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=452 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{SYR}} – [[Syrian Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 377
** {{flagicon|Syria|1932}} [[Free Syrian Army]]: Some captured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/august_2013_defense_industry_military_army_news_uk/syrian_rebels_captured_ammunition_depot_with_milan_konkurs_anti-tank_missiles_and_rockets_0508132.html|title= Syrian rebels captured ammunition depot with Milan / Konkurs anti-tank missiles and rockets|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810035217/http://www.armyrecognition.com/august_2013_defense_industry_military_army_news_uk/syrian_rebels_captured_ammunition_depot_with_milan_konkurs_anti-tank_missiles_and_rockets_0508132.html |archive-date=10 August 2013 |website=Armyrecognition.com|date=5 August 2013}}</ref>
** {{flagicon image|People's Protection Units Flag.svg|border=}} [[People's Protection Units|YPG]]<ref name="France Soir"/>
** {{flag|Islamic State}}<ref name="France Soir"/>
* {{TUN}} – [[Tunisian Armed Forces]]: 120 missiles.<ref name=trade/>
* {{TUR}} – [[Turkish Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 154
* {{UKR}}: some donated by France to support the Ukrainian army in war against Russia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Follorou |first1=Jacques |title=La France livre des missiles antichars Milan à l'Ukraine |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2022/03/09/la-france-livre-des-missiles-antichars-milan-a-l-ukraine_6116758_3210.html |newspaper=Le Monde.fr |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref>
* {{UAE}}:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 381
* {{URU}} – [[Military of Uruguay|Uruguayan Army]]:<ref name="Military Balance 2020"/> 438
* {{YEM}} – [[Military of Yemen|Yemeni Armed forces]]

===Former operators===
* {{flag|Australia}} – [[Australian Army]]: Was used by infantry and mounted on vehicles. The Australian Army withdrew the MILAN from service in the early 1990s. The ADF now fields the [[FGM-148 Javelin]] system.
* {{flag|Belgium}} – [[Belgian Army]]: Infantry weapon; replaced by [[Spike (missile)|Spike-LR]] in 2014<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/belgium_selects_the_spike_missile_of_eurospike_to_replace_its_anti-tank_missiles_milan_0301131.html Belgium selects Spike missile to replace Milan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629110611/http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/belgium_selects_the_spike_missile_of_eurospike_to_replace_its_anti-tank_missiles_milan_0301131.html |date=29 June 2017}} – Armyrecognition.com, 3 January 2013</ref>
* {{EST}} – [[Estonian Defence Forces]]<ref>[https://www.kaitseinvesteeringud.ee/en/the-estonian-defence-forces-and-the-estonian-defence-league-will-improve-their-antitank-armament/ The Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League will improve their antitank armament]. ''Centre for Defence Investments''. Retrieved 4 October 2023.</ref>
* {{IRL}} – [[Irish Army]]: Infantry weapon; replaced by the [[FGM-148 Javelin]].
* {{QAT}}<ref>{{Cite journal |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |year=2019 |title=Chapter Seven: Middle East and North Africa |journal=The Military Balance |volume=119 |issue=1 |page=364 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2018.1561033|s2cid=219628874}}</ref>
* {{flag|Somalia}} - imported in 1978-1979<ref name ='SAS 2012 10'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2012/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2012-Chapter-10-EN.pdf|chapter=Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia|title=Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2012|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=339–340|isbn=978-0-521-19714-4|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002411/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{ESP}} – [[Spanish Army]]<ref>{{Cite journal |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |year=2015 |title=Chapter Seven: Middle East and North Africa |journal=The Military Balance |volume=115 |issue=1 |page=136 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2015.996348|s2cid=219628714}}</ref>
* {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[UNITA]]: 150 missiles.<ref name=trade/>
* {{flag|United Kingdom}} – [[British Army]]; [[Royal Marines]] – While primarily an infantry weapon, it was also used in the [[FV103 Spartan#Variants and service|FV120 Spartan MCT]] turret. Over 50,000 missiles were purchased for use in the British Armed Forces. The MILAN was deployed against Argentine bunkers in the [[Falklands War|Falklands conflict]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/b-weapons.htm#milan |title=British Land Weapons and Vehicles |website=www.britains-smallwars.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202093233/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/b-weapons.htm |archive-date=2 December 2005}}</ref> and later against [[T-55]]s during the [[Persian Gulf War]].<ref>Zaloga (2004), p. 36.</ref> It was replaced by the [[FGM-148 Javelin]] in mid-2005. Previously made under licence by [[BAe Dynamics|British Aerospace Dynamics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0040.html|title=British Army - The Infantry - Milan 2 - Armed Forces - a5a14|website=www.armedforces.co.uk|access-date=1 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319015323/http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0040.html|archive-date=19 March 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{lwc|Akeron MP}}
* {{lwc|Eryx (missile)|Eryx}}
* {{lwc|HOT (missile)|HOT}}
* {{lwc|BGM-71 TOW}}
* {{lwc|HJ-8}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|MILAN (Anti-tank weapon)|MILAN}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055736/http://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=169 Technical data sheet on the website of MBDA]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/milan.htm GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0040.html Information about The British Army's MILAN 2]
;Video link
* {{YouTube|zmRfe09g9JM|British army MILAN training video}}

{{Current French infantry weapons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Milan}}
[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of France]]
[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of Germany]]
[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Cold War weapons of Germany]]
[[Category:France–Germany military relations]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Wire-guided missiles]]