RPG-29

Last updated
RPG-29
RPG-29 USGov.JPG
RPG-29 launcher with PG-29V rocket
Type Rocket-propelled grenade
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service1989–present
Used bySee Operators
Wars War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Iraq War [1]
2006 Lebanon War
Syrian Civil War [2]
2014 Gaza War
War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Israel–Hamas war
Production history
Designer Bazalt
Designedlate 1980s
Manufacturer Bazalt [3]
Produced1989
Specifications
Mass12.1 kg (27 lb) unloaded (with optical sight)
18.8 kg (41 lb) loaded (ready to fire)
Length1 m (3 ft 3 in) (dismantled for transport)
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) (ready to fire)

Cartridge PG-29V tandem rocket
TBG-29V thermobaric rounds
Caliber 105 mm (4.1 in) barrel
65 and 105 mm (2.6 and 4.1 in) warheads
Rate of fire 2 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity 280 m/s (920 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (1,600 ft)
800 m (2,600 ft) (with tripod and fire control unit) [4]
SightsIron, optical, and night sights available with ranges up to 450 m (1,480 ft); automated day and day-night sights with laser rangefinder [4]
Blast yield750 mm (30 in) RHA
650 mm (26 in) RHA after ERA
1,500 mm (59 in) Reinforced concrete
3,700 mm (150 in) Log and earth fortification

The RPG-29 "Vampir" is a Soviet reusable rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1989, it was the last RPG to be adopted by the Soviet military before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Contents

The RPG-29 has since been supplemented by other rocket-propelled systems, such as the RPG-30 and RPG-32.

Description

The RPG-29 is a shoulder-fired, unguided, tube-style, breech-loading anti-tank rocket system with an effective range of 500 m (1,600 ft). [5] The light weapon is designed to be carried and used by one soldier. Atop the launch tube is a 2.7× 1P38 optical sight.

When launched, the missile deploys eight fins as the rocket leaves the launcher, stabilizing the rocket during flight, up to an effective range of 500 m (1,600 ft). [6]

TBG-29V thermobaric round. TBG-29V Thermobaric Granat Army-2022 2022-08-20 2237.jpg
TBG-29V thermobaric round.
OG-29 HE/FRAG round. OG-29 Antipersonal Granat Army-2022 2022-08-20 2235.jpg
OG-29 HE/FRAG round.
PG-29V HEAT round. PG-29V Antiarmor & TBG-29V Thermobaric Granats Army-2022 2022-08-20 2236.jpg
PG-29V HEAT round.

Three warheads are available for the weapon:

The RPG-29 is unusual among Russian anti-tank rocket launchers in that it lacks an initial propellant charge to place the projectile at a safe distance from the operator before the rocket ignites. Instead, the rocket engine starts as soon as a trigger is pulled, and burns out before the projectile leaves the barrel.

On the bottom of the tube is a shoulder brace for proper positioning along with a pistol grip trigger mechanism. A side rail on its left side accepts a 1PN51-2 night sight. [9]

History

Size comparison. Closest to furthest. RPG-29, RPG-27, RPG-26, RPG-18 Tula State Museum of Weapons (79-58).jpg
Size comparison. Closest to furthest. RPG-29, RPG-27, RPG-26, RPG-18

The RPG-29 was developed during the late 1980s, following the development of the RPG-26, and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1989. It has recently seen intermittent use by irregular forces in the Middle East theater, including in combat against Allied forces during the Iraq War, and the 2006 Lebanon War, when it was used against Israeli forces.

2003 Iraq War

The RPG-29 is believed to have been used in skirmishes against American and British forces during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq. [10] An RPG-29 round was reported in August 2006 to have penetrated the frontal underside hull (equipped with ERA) of a Challenger 2 tank during an engagement in al-Amarah, Iraq, maiming one and wounding several other crew members, but only lightly damaging the tank, which drove home under its own power. [11]

On August 25, 2007 a PG-29V hit a passing M1 Abrams in the hull rear wounding 3 crew members.[ citation needed ] On September 5, 2007, a PG-29V hit the side turret of an M1 Abrams in Baghdad, killing 2 of the crew and wounding 1, and the tank was seriously damaged.[ citation needed ]

In May 2008, The New York Times disclosed that another M1 Abrams tank had also been damaged by an RPG-29 in Iraq, while fighting Shia militias at Sadr City. [10] The US Army ranks the RPG-29 threat to armor so high that they refused to allow the newly formed Iraqi army to buy it, fearing that it would fall into insurgent hands. [12]

2006 Lebanon War

During the conflict, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that the RPG-29 was a major source of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) casualties in the 2006 Lebanon War. [13] Shortly before the end of the conflict the Russian Kommersant magazine acknowledged through anonymous sources the possibility of a weapons transfer between Syria and Hezbollah during the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. [14]

2011 Syrian Civil War

During the Syrian Civil War, Syrian Opposition Forces and Islamic State (ISIL) both used RPG-29s. [15]

Mexican Drug War

The cartels are known to have smuggled RPG-29s with some seized by Mexican forces. [16]

2014 Gaza War

During the 2014 Gaza War, Hamas had RPG-29s in their inventory. [17]

Iraqi Civil War

During the Iraqi Civil War, ISIL has used RPG-29s in Iraq, probably ones taken in Syria. And anti-ISIL Shia militias in Iraq have also used RPG-29s, the Iranian produced "Ghadir", which was supplied by Iran.

Operators

Operators
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Current
Former RPG-29 operators.png
Operators
  Current
  Former

State operators

Non-state organizations

Former operators

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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Bibliography