STK 40 AGL

STK 40 AGL
Type	Automatic grenade launcher
Place of origin	Singapore
Service history
In service	1991–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Anti-guerrilla operations in the Philippines 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict [1]
Production history
Designer	Chartered Industries of Singapore
Designed	1986-1989
Manufacturer	Chartered Industries of Singapore (former) ST Kinetics (former) ST Engineering
Produced	1991–present
Specifications
Mass	33 kg (72.75 lb)
Length	966 mm (38.0 in) with stock
Barrel  length	350 mm (13.8 in)
Width	376 mm (14.8 in)
Cartridge	40x53mm grenade
Action	Blowback operation
Rate of fire	350-500 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	242 m/s (794 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	2,200 m (7,217.8 ft)
Feed system	Linked belt
Sights	Folding leaf sight

Light Strike Vehicle MK. II with a STK 40 AGL mounted

The STK 40 AGL, formerly the CIS 40 AGL ^[a] is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, developed in the late 1980s and produced by the Singaporean defence firm Chartered Industries of Singapore.

The launcher is employed primarily by the Singapore Armed Forces and the police and security forces of several other countries. ^[2]

History

The 40AGL was made in 1990, followed by the 40LWAGL in 2001 (previously called the 40 mm Super Light Weight AGL).

On 19 June 2000, STK announced the release of an upgrade kit, known as the 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Air-Bursting System (40mm AGL-ABS). ^[3] Upgrades consist of the electronic fire control system, the gun computer, the muzzle programming coil as well as the optical sighting system. ^[3]

On 13 December 2010, the Kuwait Defense Ministry released a statement that the CIS 40 AGL was offered for the Kuwaiti military. ^[4]

Design

The 40AGL is mounted in combination with the 12.7-mm 50MG in the ST Kinetics' 40/50 cupola weapon system, installed on the M113 and Bionix. The 40AGL weighs 33 kg without mount or ammunition.  

The STK 40 AGL can be mounted on a M3 tripod, a light weight tripod, a lock/fire mount, softmount, ringmount or on a RWS. ^[5]

The range of 40 mm rounds include low velocity, high velocity, less-than-lethal, camera, ^[6] self-destruct, airburst and enhanced blast insensitive explosive rounds.  

Aside from regular 40mm grenades, it can also use Air-Bursting Munition Systems to increase both firepower and lethality. ^[7]

Variants

Mark II

The STK 40 AGL has a Mark II variant, which includes weight reduction of almost 6 kg; a barrel removal system; improved handling, performance, aesthetics and ergonomics. ^[8] The components, when disassembled, consist of the operating group, barrel, receiver group, top cover group, trigger group. ^[8]

40LWAGL

Previously called the 40 mm Super Light Weight AGL, the objective of ST Kinetics in designing the 40LWAGL was to keep the grenade launcher's weight to below 20 kg, or half the weight of conventional AGLs.

3GL

In 2008, ST Kinetics entered into a teaming agreement with Electro-Optic Systems (EOS) and Metal Storm (MS) to develop a 3-shot under-barrel grenade launcher called the 3GL.

The 3GL is intended to replace the M203 under barrel grenade launcher for most military rifles including the M16, AK-47, SAR 21 and Steyr AUG. It can also be detached to operate as a stand-alone weapon. ^[9]

The 3GL is a semi-automatic grenade launcher firing individually loaded grenades, with up to three rounds being able to be loaded and fired semi-automatically. It can be attached to weapons via RIS rails or to a stand-alone folding stock. ^[10]

Redback Lightweight

St Kinetics also collaborated with Australia's Metal Storm and Electro Optics System to develop a new high-speed and recoilless 40 mm grenade launcher. ^[11]

Users

• Bangladesh: STK 40 AGL Mk 2 used by Bangladesh Army. ^[12]
• Chile ^[13]
• Cyprus ^[14]
• Georgia: Used on Nurol Ejder and Otokar Cobra AFVs ^[15]
• Indonesia: Made under license by PT Pindad for the Indonesian military as Pindad SPG-3 in 1994. ^{[16] [5]}
• Italy ^[13]
• Mexico ^[13]
• Morocco ^[13]
• Nigeria ^[13]
• Papua New Guinea: Used by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. ^[17]
• Peru ^[13]
• Philippines: Philippine Army, Philippine Marine Corps ^[13]
• Singapore: Used as a main armament on the Bionix 40/50 IFVs. ^{[18] [19]}
• Sri Lanka ^[13]
• Thailand ^[13]
• Uruguay ^[13]

Notes

1. Using the Wayback machine on this CIS 40 AGL page indicates that the CIS 40 AGL name was used until early 2017, when it changed to the STK 40 AGL name as seen here.

References

1. "The Armourers Bench". The Armourers Bench. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
2. Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł. Bellona. 2001. pp60.
3. "Advanced 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Air-Bursting System". Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
4. "Kuwait Defence Ministry, ST Kinetics and CIS 40mm AGL". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
5. Jones & Ness (2010), p. 429.
6. "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure" (PDF). ST Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
7. Jones & Ness (2010), p. 429-430.
8. "ST Kinetics: Singapore on the Move". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
9. "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure" (PDF). ST Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
10. "US Navy buys 'Metal Storm' grenade-gasm gun" Lewis Page, the Register, 19 November 2007
11. "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure" (PDF). ST Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
12. "Bangladesh army standardizes Singaporean 40mm grenade launcher". Army Recognition Group. Promenade des Ours, 11, 5300 Andenne, Belgium. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
13. Trade Update 2019 (PDF). Small Arms Survey. 2019. p. 50. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2019.
14. Redefined, Defence (13 June 2021). "ΤΑΜΣ-ΤΑΑΣ «ΝΙΚΗΤΗΣ-ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑ 2021» | Τα ενδιαφέροντα οπλικά συστήματα και μέσα που εντοπίσαμε - Φωτογραφίες". DEFENCE ReDEFiNED (in Greek). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
15. "Armament of the Georgian Army". Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
16. "Un repaso a las armas ligeras de Pindad" (in Spanish). ARMAS. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
17. Capie, David (2004). Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific. Wellington: Victoria University Press. pp. 63–65. ISBN   978-0864734532.
18. "Singapores Bionix IFV Family". Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
19. Miller, Stephen W. (23 May 2017). "Fighting Talk". Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2020.

Bibliography

• Andrew, C Tillman (December 1989). "IDR test report: Singapore's automatic grenade launcher ...and then there were seven". Jane's International Defence Review . Jane's Information Group: 1681–1683.
• Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011. Jane's Publishing. ISBN   978-0710629081.
• Wozniak, Ryszard (2001). Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł (in Polish). Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. pp. 58–59. ISBN   83-11-09310-5.

External links

• Official Site