AGS-40 Balkan

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
TypeAutomatic grenade launcher
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2017–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerTsKIB SOO
GNPP "Pribor"
Designed1980–2017
ManufacturerTecmash Research and Production Association
Produced2017–present
Specifications
Mass32 kilograms (71 lb) unloaded on tripod
46 kilograms (101 lb) on tripod loaded with drum of 20 rounds
CartridgeCaseless 40 mm grenade
ActionGas Piston, Open Bolt
Rate of fire400 rpm
Maximum firing range2,500 m (2,700 yd)
Feed system20 grenade disintegrating belt in drum
SightsPAG-17, iron sights
Close-up view of Russian AGS-40 grenade launcher

Design

The 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

Development

Development 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

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to AGS-40 Balkan.

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Grenade Launchers and their Ammunition: International Developments". Small Arms Defense Journal. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  3. "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.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcher - EDR Magazine". 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13.
  7. Popenker, Maxim (28 October 2010). ""Balkan" automatic grenade launcher". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  8. "Russia's Balkan grenade launcher successfully passes state trials". TASS. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
  9. "Defense firm delivers first serial batch of latest grenade launchers to Russian troops".
  10. "The Terminator is Russia's Ultimate Fighting Vehicle". 27 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  11. "Kalashnikov Group upgrades its MBDU weapon station Tass 51102161". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
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