IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcher

Dmitry Fediushko

Russia’s Tecmash Concern, a subsidiary of State Corporation Rostec, has showcased its newest AGS-40 Balkan automatic grenade launcher (AGL) at the IDEX 2019 defence show and conference being held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 17-21 February.
According to a representative of the Tecmash, the AGS-40 is designed to replace the AGS-17 Plamya (Flame) and AGS-30 AGLs. “The new launcher can engage both exposed and protected manpower, as well as soft-skin vehicles,” said the source.
Unlike the previously developed Russian AGLs, the Balkan fires 7P39 40 mm high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) grenade and 7P39P and 7P39U practice rounds. The AGS-40 fires in short burst (5 rounds) and long burst (10 rounds) modes and can deliver continuous fire. The weapon is fed by a 20-round feeding belt stored in a metal ammo box.
The AGS-40 40 mm AGL weighs 32 kg without ammo box and has a firing rate of up to 400 rounds per minute. The launcher features a firing range of up to 2,500 m and a service life of no less than 4,000 shots.
As mentioned earlier, the 7P39 caseless grenade is armed with a HE-Frag warhead is 132 mm long and weighs 0.432 kg. Featuring high firing range that reaches 2,500 m, the round is effective against manpower, automotive vehicles, launching units, and radar stations.
Compared to the AGS-17 and AGS-30, the AGS-40 Balkan has an increased combat effectiveness: its firing range is 50% higher (1,700 m and 2,500 m, respectively), while the 7P39 grenade has higher lethal effect that that of the VOG-30 grenade of the Russian-made 30 mm AGLs.

Photo by Dmitry Fediushko

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