Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

KBP AGS-30 AGL

1995 MODERN

History

The AGS-30 is the Russian Army's modernized 30mm automatic fire support grenade launcher, replacing the Cold War era AGS-17 "Plamya" ("Flame"). While the AGS-17 was an effective grenade launcher at the time, it was a product of its time, originating in the 1970s and developed on open-air battlefields affected by World War II. By the 1990s, however, the war had morphed into the urban conflict seen today, and the Soviet Union ceased to exist as a political and military power. This led to the development of a new domestically modernized Russian automatic grenade launcher, the "AGS-30". Besides being adopted by the Russian army, this model is also issued by the armies of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh and India.

India is licensed to manufacture the weapon at its Tiruchirappalli Ordnance Factory.

The AGS-30 still uses the Soviet-era 30x29mm grenade and relies on the recoil operating system, but has a lighter (16kg empty) and more compact design. It is comparable to the larger bore (40mm) American Mk 19 series. The weapon is aimed via the PAG-17 standard adjustable sight.

Feeding is via a 29-round belt-type cartridge case mounted in a hardened drum on the right side of the receiver. The weapon has an effective range of 2,300 meters and a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute. The used case is ejected through a large opening on the left side of the receiver. The barrel is rifled for accuracy, while weapon actuation is achieved through a spade grip mounted on the weapon mount.

If desired, the weapon can be fired from its standard tripod mount or attached to a vehicle. The operator can attack the target by direct or indirect fire depending on the situation. Its lightweight construction also allows a single crew member to reposition weapons.

The design of the AGS-30 is credited to the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, which was also responsible for its production. Over 500 weapon types have been produced to date (2013).

The AGS-30 officially entered service in 1995 and served with the Russian Army during the Second Chechen War (1999-2000) and the South Ossetia War (2008).