Ukrainian weapon manufacturers have developed a new grenade launcher

The Ministry of Defence has codified and adopted the Ukrainian-made AGL-53 40 mm automatic grenade launcher for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the MoD’s Main Directorate for Support of the Life Cycle of Weapons and Military Equipment.

This grenade launcher can be mounted on combat vehicles or light all-terrain transport. When fitted with a special tripod, it can be utilized as a group infantry weapon. The newly developed grenade launcher fires 40x53 mm ammunition, which is the standard for unitary rounds in automatic grenade launcher systems used by the armies of NATO member states. 

The Ukrainian AGL-53 outperforms its Soviet-era counterpart, the AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, in terms of accuracy and range, while also offering improved ergonomics and structural durability.  

Over the past few years, Ukrainian defense enterprises have successfully developed several grenade launcher models compatible with 40 mm rounds. These include single-shot variants designed as under-barrel attachments for small arms, firing 40 mm unitary rounds, or configured for combat use as a supplementary infantry weapon.

Significantly, Ukrainian manufacturers have now established production of a broad spectrum of infantry weapons, including 60 mm, 82 mm, and 120 mm mortars; small arms such as 5.56 mm assault rifles on the AR carbine platform, anti-materiel and sniper rifles (chambered for 12.7x99 mm and 7.62x51 mm rounds), as well as 9x19 mm pistols and submachine guns. 

The domestic production of infantry weapons opens new avenues for addressing the requirements of the Defence Forces, bolstering the combat capabilities of our infantry units.