RPG-26

RPG-26
File:РШГ-2.webp
Type	Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1985–present
Wars	Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designer	State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Designed	1980s
Manufacturer	State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Produced	1985–present
Variants	RShG-2
Specifications
Mass	1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb) (projectile) 2.9 kilograms (6.4 lb) (loaded)
Length	77 centimetres (30 in)
Caliber	72.5 millimetres (2.85 in)
Action	440 mm: RHA 1000 mm: Reinforced concrete 1500 mm: Brickwork 2400 mm: Log and earth
Muzzle velocity	144 m/s (470 ft/s)
Effective firing range	250 m (270 yd)
Sights	Iron sights

The RPG-26 Aglen is a disposable anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher developed by the Soviet Union.

Design

The RPG-26 fires a one-stage rocket with jack-knife fins, which unfold after launch.

The rocket carries a 72.5-millimetre (2.85 in) diameter high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) single shaped charge warhead able to penetrate 440 millimetres (17 in) of armour, 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) of reinforced concrete or 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) of brickwork.

The RPG-26 has a maximum effective range of around 250 metres (820 ft). Despite being similar in caliber to the RPG-22, the rocket features a slightly heavier and more powerful HEAT warhead, as well as a more powerful rocket engine.

Variants

RShG-2

The RShG-2 (Russian: Реактивная Штурмовая Граната, romanized: Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata, lit. 'Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade') is a RPG-26 variant with thermobaric warhead.

It is also called the Aglen-2 (Russian: Аглень-2).

The RShG-2 is heavier than the RPG-26 at 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lb) and has a reduced direct fire range of 115 metres (377 ft), intended for use against infantry and structures rather than armoured vehicles.

The warhead contains 1.16 kilograms (2.6 lb) of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) of trinitrotoluene (TNT).

The solid rocket booster of the warhead was taken from the RPG-26 and the fuse taken from the TBG-7 warhead used by the RPG-7. The warhead has a stated penetration ability of 300 millimetres (12 in) of concrete and 500 millimetres (20 in) of brickwork.

PDM-1

Georgian variant made by STC Delta.

File:Ручные реактивные гранатометы и огнеметы производства России и СССР - Russian RPG launchers.jpg

RPG-26 (second from bottom) with comparable Soviet–Russian rocket launchers

Operators

Current operators

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• China
  • RShG-2 variant
• Georgia
•  Houthis
• Jordan
  • 3,000 in possession
• Russia
• Syria
• Transnistria
• Venezuela
  • RShG-2 variant

Former operators

• Soviet Union