The Instalaza C90 is a 90 millimetres (3.5 inches) disposable, shoulder-fired and one-man operated rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, which can be fitted with a VN38-C night vision device for full night combat capability.[7] It is being used as an infantry-type weapon, with Instalaza also claiming it to be the, "lightest infantry weapons system in its class".[6][8]
| C90-CR | |
|---|---|
 C-90 | |
| Type | anti-tank weapon rocket-propelled grenade |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990–present |
| Used by | see Users |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War (2014-present)[1] Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Instalaza |
| Manufacturer | Instalaza |
| Unit cost | €2,099 (2022)[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.3 kilograms (12 lb) |
| Length | 940 millimetres (37 in)[3] |
| Cartridge | Tandem HE[4] |
| Caliber | 90 millimetres (3.5 in) |
| Muzzle velocity | 160 m/sec[5] |
| Effective firing range | 350 metres (1,150 ft) (point target)[6] |
| Maximum firing range | 700 metres (2,300 ft) (area target)[6] |
| Sights | fixed 2× optical sight standard |
Variants
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The following are variants produced by Instalaza:[7]
- C90-CR (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead of different types, has armour penetration of 400 millimetres (16 inches).[4]
- C90-CR-RB (M3.5) and the C-90-CR-RB (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead, has armour penetration of 500 millimetres (20 inches).
- C90-CR-AM (M3.5) – also has a shaped head charge, but with a special body that provides anti-personnel fragmentation
- C90-CR-FIM (M3.5) – contains more than 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of red phosphorus composition, producing incendiary effects and smoke
- C90-CR-BK (M3.5) – has a tandem warhead precursor for anti-bunker / building fortifications; the warhead pierces the walls and goes through the wall before it explodes inside the interior.
- C-90-CR-IN (M3) – is a training model with inert warhead.
Operational history
edit2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
editAfter the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Spanish government, like other Western governments, sent Ukraine shipments of weapons, equipment, ammunition, and vehicles, including numerous C90 grenade launchers.[9][10] There are images of at least one Russian infantry fighting vehicle being destroyed by a C-90 near Dronivka.[11][12]
Users
edit_Users.png)
- Indonesian Army − in use with the infantry units and Special Forces; versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90-CR-RB (M3), C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster
- Indian Army − C-90-CR-RB (M3) only
- Italian Army − in use with Special Forces; versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster
- Malaysian Army − in service since 1990s; 780 additional units ordered in 2024[15]
- Territorial Defence Forces − 1,370 rockets
- Yemeni Armed Forces − Supplied by Saudi Arabia to Pro-Hadi forces[17]
- Houthis − At least 16 were captured from Saudi or Pro-Hadi forces[17]
References
edit- ^ "Research Report No. 6: Spanish C90-CR rocket launchers & Alhambra hand grenades in Yemen". Armament Research Services (ARES). 30 August 2016.
- ^ Salvador, Antonio (3 March 2022). "Así son los lanzagranadas 'made in Zaragoza' que España enviará a la resistencia ucraniana". El Independiente (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ the first C90-C and C90-C-AM were 840 millimetres (33 in) in length; the C90-CR versions increased to 940 millimetres (37 in) for the larger rocket motor; and the C90-CR(M3) increased the length to 983 millimetres (38.7 in); i.e. showing the increase length with addition of shock-bumpers on the front and rear of the launcher
- ^ a b c "OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide" (PDF). FAS.org. September 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Instalaza C90". MilitaryFactory.com. Military Factory. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "C90-CR (M3), the lightest infantry weapon system in its class". Instalaza. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b "C-90-CR (M3)". usuarios.multimania.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "La Empresa". Instalaza.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 September 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por España ya están en manos de los soldados ucranianos". Elmundo.es (in Spanish). El Mundo. 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por Pedro Sánchez ya están en manos del Ejército ucraniano". ElEspanol.com (in Spanish). El Español. 7 March 2022.
- ^ "El lanzagranadas español C90 en Ucrania: 1.400 unidades, tres meses destruyendo tanques". EPE.es (in Spanish). El Periódico de España. 2 June 2022.
- ^ "BMP ruso destruido por un lanzagranadas Instalaza c90 español en Dronivka por fuerzas especiales ucranianas". elperiodico.com (in Spanish). El Periódico. 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Estonian Ministry of Defence". MoD.gov.ee. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Saqartvelos tavdacvis Ministri espanuri tanksawinaagmdego sistemebis sachvenebel swavlebas daeswro". MoD.gov.ge (in Georgian).
- ^ "Spanish LAW RFB". MalaysianDefence.com.
- ^ MEGA REPORTAGEM FORÇA AÉREA PORTUGUESA. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b c Williams, Ian; Shaikh, Shaan (2020). "Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal". The Missile War in Yemen. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): 34–52. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Spain to send grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine, minister says". Reuters. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
External links
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