PARM 1 and PARM 2 DM-12 anti-tank mines are in use with Ukraine. How do they work?

I thought it would be interesting in this video to take a look at an unusual, but lethal and useful weapon which Ukraine is operating. The PARM-2 mine. This was sent as part of an aid package which Germany claimed included 2,000 mines, so we don’t know how many of those were PARM-2s. It’s a very interesting weapon, differering from the usual mines as we shall see.

PARM stands for PanzerAbwehrRichtMine. Or, anti-tank directional mine. They are off route mines which when triggered fire small, fin-stabilized rockets. Different than usual anti-tank mines which are triggered and detonated under the vehicle. These aren’t the only off-route anti-tank mines in service—for example, Poland has the MPB.

The mine first entered service as the PARM 1 in 1988. It is mounted on a s small, flexible tripod. This tripod can spin 360 degrees, elevate 90 degrees or depress 45 degrees, allowing the system to be rigged and set up in a number of different locations.

It is suitable for both protective use—such as protecting a vital convoy route, or tactical use. Intended to disrupt the movement of enemy forces.

The mine can be fired by command, pressure plate or by a tripwire. With the tripwire, it is an optical cable placed on the road. Once a heavy vehicle rolls over it, this cable then triggers the ignition of the charge. This fires the projectivle to the target.

Now, they don’t have to strike the first weapon in a convoy either. PARM-2 can be set to skip 9 vehicles before detonating, allowing for it to target key vehicles in the center of the convoy. For example, if a recon patrol spots an enemy convoy with the priority target being, say, a fuel truck—the lead vehicle such as a BMP-1 can pass over it, the next vehicle can and so on, until the priority target arrives. Then, it detonates.

The PARM 1 has an effective range of 2 to 40 meters. The PARM 2 is upgraded with a range of 100 meters. The PARM 2 also has an upgraded warhead allowing for armor penetration of 750 millimeters and even capabilitiy against reactive armour.

For point of reference, the BMP-1 has armor thickness of 33 millimeters. The T-72 has armor thickness of around 700mm at the front of the turret and hull. The BTR-80—10mm in the hull.

These are powerful weapons. Fast too—once triggered, they travel at 120 meters per second. They also quite light and easily transported—weighing just 20 kg. Meaning they can be quickly and easily taken to an ambush point.

So, there we have the PARM 2. I think it’s quite a cool weapon and worth having a closer look at how it works. If you enjoyed the video, I’d appreciate it if you’d click like and also subscribe.

Cheers

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