AGS‑40 Balkan is a Russian 40 mm caseless automatic grenade launcher and successor to AGS-17 and AGS-30, introduced and adopted by the Russian military.[1][2][3]
| AGS-40 Balkan | |
|---|---|
 AGS-40 Balkan | |
| Type | Automatic grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TsKIB SOO GNPP "Pribor" |
| Designed | 1980–2017 |
| Manufacturer | Tecmash Research and Production Association |
| Produced | 2017–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 32 kilograms (71 lb) unloaded on tripod 46 kilograms (101 lb) on tripod loaded with drum of 20 rounds |
| Cartridge | Caseless 40 mm grenade |
| Action | Gas Piston, Open Bolt |
| Rate of fire | 400 rpm |
| Maximum firing range | 2,500 m (2,700 yd) |
| Feed system | 20 grenade disintegrating belt in drum |
| Sights | PAG-17, iron sights |
Design
editThe AGS-40 uses 40 mm CL (caseless) grenades with a range of 2,500 m (compared to the 30 mm grenades with range 1,700 for AGS-17 and 2,100 for AGS-30) and a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute, with short burst (5 rounds), long burst (10 rounds), and continuous fire modes. The weapon is usually equipped with a tripod and a PAG-17 2.7× telescopic sight; it can also have back-up iron sights installed.[4]
A unique feature of the AGS-40 is a detachable seat that allows for more stable shooting using the weight of an operator.[5]
Ammunition
edit- Caseless high-explosive-fragmentation 40 mm 7P39 grenades.[6]
- 7P39P and 7P39U practice rounds
Development
editDevelopment of the AGS-40 started in 1980 but stalled after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent economic decline in Russia. However, the project was revived in the early 1990s under the codename "Balkan", and was put into operational evaluation in 2018.[1][7] State tests were successfully completed and the weapon was recommended for introduction into service as of March 2021.[8] The first serial batch was delivered in January 2022.[9] AGS-40 can be installed on armored vehicles.[10] The AGS-40 can be integrated with Kalashnikov MBDU remote weapon station.[11]
Users
edit
See also
edit- GP-25 – (Soviet Union)
- AGS-30 – (Russia)
- AGS-17 – (Soviet Union)
- Mk 19 grenade launcher – (United States)
- Daewoo Precision Industries K4 – (South Korea)
- Mk 47 Striker – (United States)
- Type 87 grenade launcher – (China)
- Type 04 grenade launcher – (China)
- Howa Type 96 – (Japan)
- Vektor Y3 AGL – (South Africa)
- SB LAG 40 – (Spain)
- HK GMG – (Germany)
- XM174 grenade launcher – (United States)
- Milkor MGL – (South Africa)
- RGS-50M – (Russia, Soviet Union)
- RGSh-30 – (Ukraine)
- RPO Rys – (Soviet Union)
- MRG-1 – (Soviet Union)
References
edit- ^ a b "Russia tests the AGS-40 Balkan 40mm automatic grenade launcher in operational situation". Army Recognition. April 20, 2017. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ "Grenade Launchers and their Ammunition: International Developments". Small Arms Defense Journal. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Russia to Adopt the AGS-40 "BALKAN" Automatic Grenade Launcher in 2018 -The Firearm Blog". 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13.
- ^ "Russia to Adopt the AGS-40 "BALKAN" Automatic Grenade Launcher in 2018". 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Chair-grenade launcher AGS-40 "Balkan": come, sit, shoot - Health & Beauty". Wehealthbeauty.com. 14 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcher - EDR Magazine". 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13.
- ^ Popenker, Maxim (28 October 2010). ""Balkan" automatic grenade launcher". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
- ^ "Russia's Balkan grenade launcher successfully passes state trials". TASS. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ "Defense firm delivers first serial batch of latest grenade launchers to Russian troops".
- ^ "The Terminator is Russia's Ultimate Fighting Vehicle". 27 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
- ^ "Kalashnikov Group upgrades its MBDU weapon station Tass 51102161". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.