This year, the Russian Army is likely to approve a plan to introduce the AGS-40 grenade launcher to completely replace the legendary AGS-17.
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| According to the Russian news agency tvzvezda, the Russian Army is likely to approve a plan to introduce the AGS-40 "Balkan" grenade launcher into service this year. It will gradually replace its predecessor, the AGS-17, which has been in service since 1970. (Image source: mareeva-irina) |
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| Although both were developed in the early 1990s, the AGS-30 was put into service first, while the AGS-40 did not enter trial production until 2008, and only this year has the Russian Army planned to deploy this grenade launcher. Image source: mareeva-irina. |
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| One of the main reasons the AGS-40 grenade launcher was not widely accepted was its use of 40mm ammunition instead of 30mm ammunition like the AGS-30 or AGS-17. Furthermore, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the NPO "Pribor" design bureau, where the AGS-40 was manufactured, lacked the resources to continue perfecting this automatic grenade launcher. (Image source: mareeva-irina) |
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| According to Yury Nabokov, General Director of NPO "Pribor," the Russian Army's plan to equip its infantry units with the AGS-40 is considered a necessary step to improve the firepower of Russian infantry units, as previous AGS grenade launcher models are becoming obsolete. (Image source: Alexey Ivanov) |
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| Not only does it improve accuracy and increase range, the AGS-40's firepower is also considered far superior to the AGS-30. This is thanks to the 40mm 7P39 ammunition developed by NPO "Pribor" specifically for the AGS-40, making it more suitable for modern warfare environments. Image source: Alexey Ivanov. |
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| The AGS-40 has a combat weight of 32 kg and no more than 16 kg when the magazine is removed. The barrel length is 400 mm. It is equipped with a 20-round magazine and has a crew of 1-2 soldiers. Image source: mareeva-irina. |
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| The AGS-40 boasts a firing rate of up to 400 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 240 m/s. NPO "Pribor" guarantees that this grenade launcher will have a lifespan of no less than 4,000 rounds and can operate in the harshest combat conditions. (Image source: mareeva-irina) |
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| The AGS-40 has a maximum range of 2,500m, significantly higher than some Western grenade launchers (300-500m). However, it also has a drawback: it is only equipped with the outdated PAG-17 optical sight, which is still used on the AGS-17 today. Image source: defendingrussia.ru. |
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| Like its predecessor, the AGS-40 can be deployed on various motorized platforms, including helicopters. Its primary targets remain enemy infantry, defensive fortifications, and motorized vehicles. The image shows a prototype of the 40mm 7P39 round for the AGS-40, also developed by NPO "Pribor". Image source: nevskii-bastion. |
According to Kienthuc.net
