Rostec first presented a deeply modernized RPG-29M hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher at the World Defense Show 2026. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to buy it, but other countries may be interested in this product. This opinion was expressed by military expert Peter Suciu in an article for The National Interest.
The original RPG-29 "Vampire" entered service in 1989. It was developed at NPO Bazalt.
The grenade launcher is designed to destroy all types of tanks, armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as enemy manpower.
Initially, two types of ammunition were used for the RPG-29: PG-29V (a round with a tandem shaped-charge warhead) and TBG-29V (a round with a thermobaric warhead). Then the OG-29 (a round with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead) was added. The latter was used as an anti-personnel weapon.
According to the expert, thousands of RPG-29 units ended up in the countries of the Middle East. It is believed that the grenade launcher was used by Iraqi forces in 2003.
According to some reports, during Operation Vampire, it damaged one of the British Challenger 2 tanks. The experience of using this product was very successful, so the Iraqis copied its design. This is how the powerful Ghadir grenade launcher appeared.
The Gulf countries traditionally buy weapons from the United States, but Russia is trying to strengthen its position in the region. The Kremlin sees many developing countries as potential buyers.
What is known about the RPG-29M
Rostec reported that optical and thermal sights can be installed on the hand-held grenade launcher. The RPG-29M has an upgraded loading system, which made it possible to expand the range of ammunition.
The long aiming range and armor penetration of the RPG-29M, according to our experts, make it a leader in its market segment.
What ammunition is used:
- PG-29VM anti-tank rounds
- TBG-29VM thermobaric rounds
- MG-29V multi-purpose rounds
- incendiary rounds
- cluster rounds
- fragmentation-beam rounds
Among the advantages of the RPG-29M are accuracy, reduced weight and ease of handling.
Read more materials on the topic:
- Horror flying on the wings of the night: Russian Kulibins crossed the RPG and the drone
- "Pocket artillery" against tanks: servicemen in the Rostov region destroyed armored vehicles of a mock enemy from the RPG-7V
- Simple and reliable: Rosoboronexport named the advantages of the RPG-7
