Light Anti-Tank Weapons

With the introduction of the tank in the First World War came the first anti-tank weapons. The threat to Canadian infantry by German armour was relatively low, and infantry weapons were not developed to combat enemy tanks.

Light Anti-Tank Weapons

Between the wars, as the world's armies developed mechanically reliable tanks and armoured cars, several types of weapons were developed.
 

Anti-Tank Rifle

Anti-tank rifles were first developed during the First World War; the British (and subsequently, Canadians) adopted the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle. The Boys was usually issued to infantry on the scale of one per platoon. The weapon fired a .55-in Armour Piercing (AP) round.

Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank

In 1943, the Boys ATR was replaced with the Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT). Not only were they issued to infantry platoons, but were also carried in vehicles of reconnaissance units and Motor infantry battalions.

The PIAT was the first Canadian anti-tank weapon to use High Explosive, Anti-Tank (HEAT) ammunition.

Bazooka

During the Korean War, Canadian infantry units employed the American bazooka, which remained on inventory until replaced with the Carl Gustav.

M72 SRAAW

The American designed LAW rocket (or M72 SRAAW) was widely issued in Canadian units beginning in the 1970s, for use as a light anti-armour weapon.

Carl Gustav

The Carl Gustav was an 84mm anti-tank rocket launcher.

Eryx (SRAAW)

The Eryx missile system was developed and acquisition began in 1998 and 1999.