Doctrinal and Tactical Aspects of Deploying Anti-Tank Guided Missile Platoons in Defence

This paper explores the tactical employment of the Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) platoon in defensive operations, focusing on its effectiveness against armoured and mechanized threats in both conventional and hybrid warfare environments. Drawing on doctrinal frameworks such as FM 3-21.91, FM 71-1, and MCRP 3-30.7, the research evaluates key aspects including terrain-based siting, force distribution, survivability through mobility and camouflage, and synchronization with indirect fire and reconnaissance assets. Through simulated defensive scenarios, the study demonstrates that ATGM units deployed in decentralized, terrain-masked positions with overlapping fields of fire and ISR integration significantly improve engagement success and reduce vulnerability to counterattack. The findings suggest doctrinal and organizational refinements, such as the incorporation of hunter-killer tactics and loitering munitions at the platoon level, to meet the demands of multi-domain operations and support Force Design 2030 concepts. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for training, force structure adaptation, and integrated fires coordination.