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GP-25

{{redirect|GP-30|the locomotive|EMD GP30}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox weapon

| name = GP-25 grenade launcher

| image = Georgian under barrel grenade launchers stc delta (3).JPG

| image_size = 300

| origin = Soviet Union

| type = Grenade launcher

| is_ranged = yes

| is_bladed =

| is_explosive = yes

| is_artillery =

| is_vehicle =

| service = 1978–present

| used_by = See Users

| wars = {{Tree list}}

{{Tree list/end}}

| designer = TsKIB SOO

| design_date = 1966–1978

| manufacturer = Kalashnikov Concern
STC Delta
Arsenal AD
Zastava Arms

| production_date = 1978–present

| number =

| variants = GP-30, GP-30M, GP-34

| weight = {{convert|1.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (GP-25)
{{convert|1.3|kg|abbr=on}} (GP-30)
{{convert|1.4|kg|abbr=on}} (GP-34){{cite web|url=http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |title=Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ" |access-date=2012-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728115857/http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-date=2012-07-28 }} |Izhmash GP-34 Specifications

| length = {{convert|323|mm|in|abbr=on}} (GP-25)
{{convert|275|mm|abbr=on|1}} (GP-30)
{{convert|315|mm|abbr=on|1}} (GP-34)

| width =

| part_length = {{convert|120|mm|abbr=on|1}}

| crew =

| cartridge = 40 mm internal propellant caseless ammunition (CL)

| caliber = 40 mm

| action = Closed system, single-shot

| rate = 20 rounds/min area suppression
5–6 rounds/min aimed shots

| velocity = {{convert|76.5|m/s|0|abbr=on}}

| range = Sights adjustable 100 to 400 meters

| max_range =

| feed = Muzzleloader

| sights = Notched quadrant sight

}}

The GP-25 Kostyor ("Bonfire"), GP-30 Obuvka ("Shoe") and GP-34 are a family of Russian 40 mm under-barrel muzzleloaded grenade launchers for the AK family of assault rifles.{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9jvCwAAQBAJ |title=The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84908-835-0 |series=Weapon 8 |location=Oxford |pages=28 |language=en |oclc=651902408}} The acronym GP stands for Granatomyot Podstvolnyj, "under-barrel grenade launcher" in Russian, and was adopted by Soviet forces in 1978.

Development

{{Multiple image

| direction = vertical

| total_width = 150

| image1 = Ak74gp35.jpg

| image2 = Ak74gp35 (cropped).jpg

| align = left

| caption_align = center

| footer = An AK-74 equipped with an airsoft replica of the GP-25 grenade launcher.

}}

The development of a grenade launcher for the AKM assault rifle began in 1966 at the Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms (TsKIB SOO). Development continued into the 1970s, and in 1978 it was accepted into service. The main production version was known as the GP-25, and could be attached to the AKM and AK-74 assault rifles. The GP-30 was made lighter and the aiming system was redesigned and moved to the right.{{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |date=October 28, 2010 |title=GP-25 and GP-30 |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/gp-25-i-gp-30-eng/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}}

GP grenade launchers are similar in appearance and fire the same Russian 40mm caliber ammunition. At the top of the barrel is the mounting hardware to attach the weapon to the underside of a rifle barrel, from which it is designed to fire. The GP barrel has a useful life of about 400 rounds.{{Cite web |title=GP-25 KASTYOR Under-barrel Grenade Launcher |url=http://www.armaco.bg/en/product/under-barrel-grenade-launchers-c9/gp-25-kastyor-under-barrel-grenade-launcher-p99 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Armaco JSC, Bulgaria |language=en}}

The GP-30 first entered service in 1989, and is intended for use with the AK-100 series of assault rifles. The GP-30M is a grenade launcher of simplified model, consisting of a shorter 40mm rifled barrel in front of a basic trigger mechanism with minimal hand grip.

The current Izhmash-made version, the GP-34, has a further-redesigned sighting system located to the right side of the weapon and features the following advantages:

  • Reliability: It is designed and tested specifically for the Kalashnikov assault rifles, fits such assault rifles directly without any adaptors or hand guard dismantling.{{Cite web |title=40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher GP-34 |url=http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728115857/http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-date=2012-07-28 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Izmash |language=en}}
  • Improved safety: The design prevents a round from moving within or falling out of the barrel, even if the muzzle is pointed down. The GP-34 features an additional mechanism (firing pin safety lever) to improve safety during loading.

= Variants =

File:GP-25 at Tula State Museum of Weapons.jpg|GP-25.

File:GP-30M Interpolitex-2012.jpg|GP-30M.

File:VVday2015 56.jpg|GP-34.

  • ГП-25 (GP-25), GRAU index: 6Г15 (6G15), nickname «Костёр» (Kostyor, "Bonfire")
  • ГП-30 (GP-30), GRAU index: 6Г21 (6G21), nickname «Обувка» (Obuvka, "Shoe")
  • ГП-34 (GP-34), GRAU index: 6Г34 (6G34)

Use

File:45thOBrSpN 17.jpg with GP grenade launcher under an AKM rifle, 45th Spetsnaz Brigade.]]

A grenade is first loaded from the muzzle, the weapon is aimed, and then the double-action trigger is pulled to fire. This fires the percussion cap at the base of the grenade which activates the nitrocellulose propellant inside the grenade body.{{Cite web |title=GP-25 / GP-30 GL Single-Shot 40mm Muzzle-Loaded Grenade Launcher Specifications and Pictures |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=661 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Military Factory}} The hot, expanding gas from the propellant is forced through openings in the base of the grenade that move it along the barrel and, at the same time, force the driving band to fit into the twelve grooves of the rifle. The rifling provides stabilizing rotation to the projectile. The grenade has a range of up to 400m.{{Cite web |last=TAB |date=March 5, 2023 |title=Standalone Grenade Launcher |url=https://armourersbench.com/tag/standalone-grenade-launcher/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en}}

File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6933 (26939058010).jpg|GP-25 sighting system.

File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6937 (26939053640).jpg|GP-25 seen from the front.

File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6940 (26939054060).jpg|Explanation on the use of the GP-25.

Ammunition

File:10th Mountain Division, Afghan National Army, Afghan Border Patrol Service Members Patrol Khas Kunar District DVIDS187644.jpg soldier armed with a GP-25/30 on patrol in Kunar province, Khas Kunar district of Afghanistan, July 1, 2009.]]

GP grenade launchers fire multiple 40mm VOG-25 high-explosive fragmentation grenades, with a total range of 400 meters and an effective range of 150m. These Russian-Soviet 40 mm grenades are not compatible with Western 40x46mm grenades. Originally, the main grenade was the VOG-15 (7P17) fragmentation grenade, which has a lethal radius of six meters. Ammunition for the muzzle-loading GP-25 consists of a single piece containing propellant and charge, as opposed to the more traditional two-piece case and projectile design of comparable US 40x46mm ammunition used in breech-loading grenade launchers, such as the M203. This integral "caseless" design – with the propellant and primer contained in the base of the grenade – provides for when the grenade is fired nothing is left in the barrel, so the operator can load the next grenade.

A bouncing grenade, the VOG-25P, is also available. On impact, a small charge in the nose of the grenade explodes; this raises the grenade 50cm to 1.5m in the air, before an impact delay fuse causes it to detonate. The VOG-25P also has a lethal radius of six meters. The new generation VOG-M and VOG-PM ammunition, with an increased effectiveness of no less than 1.5 times, are now serially available.{{Cite web |last=RIA News |date=November 10, 2016 |title=Юрий Набоков: гранатомет "Балкан" могут принять на вооружение в 2017 году |trans-title=Yuri Nabokov: the Balkan grenade launcher may be put into service in 2017 |url=https://ria.ru/20161110/1481076567.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=RIA Novosti |language=ru}}

File:VOG-25 7P17 - MAKS2015part7-50.jpg

Smoke grenades are also available. The original GRD-40 grenade was replaced by a series of grenades designed for use at different ranges. These are the GRD-50, GRD-100 and GRD-200 intended for use at 50, 100 and 200 meters respectively. They are capable of producing a 20 cubic meter cloud of smoke that lasts for one minute in winds of up to five meters per second. A tear gas grenade called Gvozd ("Nail") and a stick grenade are also available.

Today it is used primarily by the Russian Armed Forces in weapons such as the GP-34, BG-15 Mukha and RG-6. Several types exist but the most common version is the default VOG-25 high-explosive version{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2002–2006 |title=Выстрел гранатомётный ВОГ-25|url=http://worldweapon.ru/strelok/vog25.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701163228/http://worldweapon.ru/strelok/vog25.php|archive-date=2007-07-01 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=worldweapon.ru}}

= Ammunition data =

class="wikitable"

|+

!Version

!Fuse arming range

!Fuse self-destruction time

!Weight

!Charge

VOG-25

|10–40 m (33–130 ft)

|14–19 s

|250 g (0.55 lb)

|48 g of A-IX-1 explosive

VOG-25P

|10–40 m (33–130 ft)

|14–19 s

|278 g (0.61 lb)

|37 g of TNT

GRD-50/100/200

|10–40 m (33–130 ft)

|14–19 s

|265 g

|90 g

Users

File:GP 25-30 40mm Grenade Launcher on AK-74 Western Group Forces Ranges Zossen-Wuensdorf 1992 (4986660863).jpg.]]

  • {{flag|Angola}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
  • {{flag|Algeria}}{{Cite web |title=GP-25 Kostyer: 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher |url=https://www.militarytoday.com/firearms/gp_25.htm |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Military Today |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Botswana}}{{Cite web |last=Tiger |first=Grey |date= |title=World Infantry Weapons: Botswana |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_botswana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203850/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_botswana |archive-date=2016-11-24 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=World Inventory |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Bulgaria}}: Made under license by Arsenal AD as the UBGL{{cite web |author=Arsenal Corporation |title=Arsenal 40 mm Underbarrel Grenade Launcher UBGL |url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/UBGL.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008143429/http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/UBGL.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Arsenal BG |language=en}} and the UBGL-1.{{cite web |author=Arsenal Corporation |title=Arsenal 40 mm Underbarrel Grenade Launcher UBGL-1 |url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/40mm_UBGL-1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030441/http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/40mm_UBGL-1.htm |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Arsenal BG |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Burundi}}{{Cite web |last=Vircoulon |first=Thierry |date=October 2, 2015 |title=Insights from the Burundian Crisis (I): An Army Divided and Losing its Way |url=http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521151808/http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |archive-date=2017-05-21 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=International Crisis Group |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Congo-Kinshasa}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
  • {{flag|Cyprus}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
  • {{flag|Georgia}}: Made by STC Delta.{{cite web |author=Chiteishvili |first=Otar |title=40 mm under barrel grenade launcher GP-25 |url=http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/gp-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613192939/http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/gp-25/ |archive-date=2015-06-13 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=STC Delta |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Ministry of Defense of Georgia |title=Industrial Parade |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?newsid=1404&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107131434/http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?newsid=1404&lang=en |archive-date=2014-01-07 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Ministry of Defense of Georgia |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Greece}}: Used for the AK-74M.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
  • {{flag|India}}
  • {{flag|Indonesia}}: Mobile Brigade Corps{{cite web |last=Bagas |first=Marc |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Guns of Nusantara: The AK-101 and 102 in BRIMOB Service |url=https://conflictfreelance.rs/guns-of-nusantara-the-ak-101-and-102-in-brimob-service/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523074356/https://conflictfreelance.rs/guns-of-nusantara-the-ak-101-and-102-in-brimob-service/ |archive-date=2021-05-23 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Conflict Freelancers |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Iran}} : Used by IRGC
  • {{flag|Lithuania}}: Lithuanian Armed Forces{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/granatsvaidziai_ir_priestankiniai_ginklai/povamzdinis_granatsvaidis_gp-25.html|title=Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Granatsvaidžiai ir prieštankiniai ginklai|access-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109115848/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/granatsvaidziai_ir_priestankiniai_ginklai/povamzdinis_granatsvaidis_gp-25.html|archive-date=November 9, 2014|url-status=live}}
  • {{flag|North Korea}}Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.{{Cite journal |last=US Department of Defense |date=May 1997 |title=North Korea Country Handbook |url=https://nuke.fas.org/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Marine Corps Intelligence Activity |language=en |pages=A-76 (248) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111733/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04}}
  • {{flag|Pakistan}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
  • {{flag|Russia}}
  • {{flag|Serbia}}: Made under license by Zastava Arms as the PBG – 40 mm{{cite web |author=Zastava Arms |title=Underbarrel grenade launcher PBG-40 mm |url=http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/underbarrel-grenade-launcher-pbg-40-mm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027220013/http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/underbarrel-grenade-launcher-pbg-40-mm |archive-date=2014-10-27 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Zastava Arms |language=en}} and the PBG 40 mm M70.{{cite web |author=Zastava Arms |title=Underbarrel grenade launcher PBG 40 mm M70 |url=http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/bgp-40-mm-m70 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028205343/http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/bgp-40-mm-m70 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Zastava Arms |language=en}}
  • {{flag|North Macedonia}}
  • {{flag|Syria}}: Uses both GP-25s and GP-30Ms.{{cite web |author=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |date=February 19, 2015 |title=From Russia with Love, Syria's AK-74Ms |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/02/19/from-russia-with-love-syrias-ak-74ms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206004749/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/02/19/from-russia-with-love-syrias-ak-74ms/ |archive-date=2019-02-06 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Oryx |language=en}}
  • {{flag|Ukraine}}
  • {{flag|Vietnam}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

  • {{cite book

| last = Koll

| first = Christian

| title = Soviet Cannon: A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm

| publisher = Christian Koll

| location = Linz, Austria

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=acUoQwAACAAJ

| page = 397

| isbn = 978-3-200-01445-9 |year=2009|oclc=424511896|language=en}}

  • {{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9jvCwAAQBAJ |title=The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84908-835-0 |series=Weapon 8 |location=Oxford |language=en |oclc=651902408}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20061126183826/http://www.modernfirearms.net/grenade/gl05-e.htm Modern Firearms]
  • [http://sovposters.ru//2009/12/21/063701_gp25.jpg Technical data, instructional images and diagrams of the GP-25 {{in lang|ru}}]
  • [https://archive.today/20121129062811/http://k-a-r-d-e-n.livejournal.com/5840.html Differences between GP-25, GP-30, GP-30M and GP-34] {{in lang|ru}}
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmw58EreZj0 How the GP-25 works]

{{Caseless Firearms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gp-25}}

Category:Grenade launchers of the Soviet Union

Category:Grenade launchers of Russia

Category:Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union

Category:Kalashnikov Concern products

Category:TsKIB SOO products

Category:Underbarrel weapons

Category:Caseless firearms

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1978