The Russian military structures were armed with the latest grenade launcher AGS-40 Balkan. The design features of AGS-40 allow firing in bursts of 5 or 10 shots, as well as continuous fire until the end of ammunition. Shooting is performed both on the bench and hinged trajectory. The grenade launcher fires up to 400 rounds per minute. The range of damage is about 2500 meters, using 40-mm grenades.
Easy to use and highly efficient
Balkan has a number of advantages in comparison with the previous model of AGS-17. First of all, it was possible to significantly increase the caliber - this, in particular, made it possible to increase the firing range. The machine itself and the grenade launcher's sight almost did not change.
There are still a variety of tests in conditions as close as possible to the present. Military check weapons in a variety of natural conditions. Perhaps in the future, grenade launchers will be included in the nomenclature of additional armament of armored vehicles. For example, the Russian BMO "Terminator" is already equipped with two AG-17D grenade launchers.
Suitable for different locations
“Automatic grenade launchers are quite effective weapons for use in the city,” said Viktor Murakhovsky, lead editor of the Arsenal of Fatherland publication, told RIA Novosti.
Grenade launchers are also very convenient in conditions where the infantrymen have to act in a dismounted order of battle. They just need to have a weapon at their disposal that can hit the enemy in sight.
A bit of history
Easel types of such weapons interested Soviet engineers back in the 60s. For them, the impetus for the start of development was the successful testing of the US MK-19 grenade launchers, which were used in Vietnam.
Already in 1971, the AGS-17 Flame grenade launcher appeared at the disposal of the Soviet military, which became very popular during the conflict in Afghanistan. He actually showed the high effectiveness of such weapons in the most difficult weather conditions.
