The Bumbar, also known as “Bumble Bee”, is a man-portable, short-range anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed in Serbia to strengthen infantry anti-armor capabilities. Designed by the Military Technical Institute (VTI) in Belgrade, the system provides modern firepower against armored vehicles, fortified positions, and low-flying targets.
- Design & Portability: The Bumbar is a shoulder-fired, man-portable system, allowing infantry units to operate it without the need for heavy platforms. Its compact size and relatively low weight make it highly mobile in diverse terrains.
- Guidance System: The missile uses a wire-guided, semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight (SACLOS) system. Operators keep the sight on the target, while the guidance system automatically steers the missile.
- Warhead & Effectiveness: Equipped with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, Bumbar is designed to penetrate explosive reactive armor (ERA) and modern composite armor.
- Range & Accuracy: Effective at distances of up to 600 meters, it provides precision strikes in close and medium-range engagements.
- Combat Role: Primarily intended for infantry squads, it gives ground forces the ability to engage enemy armor, bunkers, and strongholds in urban and open-field environments.
- Operational Use: The Bumbar reflects Serbia’s focus on cost-effective, portable anti-armor solutions, comparable to systems like the French Eryx or Russian Metis-M.
With its lightweight design and effective armor-penetrating capability, the Bumbar ATGM enhances the Serbian military’s ability to counter heavily armored threats while maintaining high mobility on the battlefield.
