Russia Develops New Grenade Thrower, Accurately Hits Tanks From 1,000 Meters

Ilustrasi penembakan RPG-7. (Wikimedia Commons/Mil.ru/The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

JAKARTA - Russia's military capabilities will soon become increasingly daunting, as plans to develop grenade launchers capable of hitting tanks from a distance.

This is in line with the development carried out by the Bazalt Research and Production Association (part of the Techmash Group within the state technology company Rostec), to increase the firing accuracy of the RPG-7V2 grenade launcher, up to 1,000 meters or 1 kilometer.

"The RPG-7V2 has been accepted for use. However, its development is currently being carried out under a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense, in order to increase its firing accuracy," explained the head of the Bazalt Design Bureau Nikolai Sereda as reported by TASS, Tuesday 15 June.

Sereda said specialists would improve the accuracy of the grenade launcher with the new sight. Currently, the RPG-7V2 offers an accuracy of about 40-50 cm per 150 meters from direct firing range.

Russian RPG-7V2. (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

"There is a need to fire at longer distances, up to one kilometer. And it has to hit tanks at such a distance. That's why there was a need to increase this. Accuracy to get the ability to hit targets and attack tanks even at distances of up to 1 kilometer. Accuracy shoot up to five meters," he explained.

This development coincides with the 60th anniversary of the legendary RPG-7 grenade launcher on June 15, 2021 yesterday. First produced in 1958, the grenade launcher, which is now used in 80 countries, entered service with the Russian military on June 15, 1961.

To support the development of this shooting range, new bullets were also developed using unconventional methods.

RPG 7 made in Russia. (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

"A new ammunition for the RPG-7V2 has now been developed. It has the designation 01 (serial production), has passed state trials, and uses unconventional methods to attack and incapacitate enemy forces," explained Sereda.

He explained, this new bullet is 30 percent more efficient than before, increasing the effect of penetrating armor, thermobaric and ammunition fragmentation.

"The new ammunition is more sophisticated, 20-30 percent more efficient than its predecessor, more effective, capable of hitting various targets on the battlefield, including penetrating the most advanced and reactive armor," said Sereda.

To note, the ammunition for the Russian RPG-7 grenade launcher currently available is capable of striking a variety of targets, from tanks to helicopters.