ROKS flamethrowers

{{short description|Soviet flamethrowers}}

{{Infobox weapon

|name=ROKS-2 flamethrower

|image= File:ROKS-2 flamethrower.JPG

|caption= A captured ROKS-2 flamethrower at the Mikkeli Infantry museum, Finland (2011)

|origin= Soviet Union

|type=Flamethrower

|is_ranged=yes

|service=1935−1945 (USSR)

|used_by=Soviet Union

|wars=Second World War, Vietnam War

|designer=

|design_date=

|manufacturer=Different manufacturers

|unit_cost=

|production_date=1935-1941

|number=

|variants=

|spec_label=

|weight={{convert|22.7|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}

|length=

|part_length=

|width=

|height=

|diameter=

|crew=1

|cartridge=

|caliber=

|action=

|rate=

|velocity=

|range= {{convert|25|m|yd|abbr=on}}

|max_range= {{convert|45|m|yd|abbr=on}}

|feed={{convert|9|l|gal|abbr=on}} fuel tank
1 nitrogen tank (propellant)

|sights= None

}}

The ROKS-2 and ROKS-3 (Shortened from Russian, Rantseviy Ognemyot Kluyeva-Sergeyeva; Ранцевый Огнемёт Клюева — Сергеева; "Kluyev-Sergeyev backpack flamethrower") were man-portable flamethrowers used by the USSR in the Second World War.

The ROKS-2 was designed not to draw attention, so the fuel and gas tanks were concealed under a sheet-metal outer casting resembling a knapsack; the flame projector was designed to resemble a standard Mosin–Nagant rifle. The purpose of this was to prevent the operator from being specifically targeted by the enemy.{{cite book|author=Chris Bishop|title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MuGsf0psjvcC&pg=PA270|year=2002|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-58663-762-0|pages=270–}} The flame shots were ignited by firing specially modified 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridges.

The ROKS-2 was used, amongst other engagements, during the close-range fighting during the first days of the Battle of Kursk in 1943.World War II - Willmott, H.P., Dorling Kindersley, 2004, Page 189, {{ISBN|1-4053-0477-4}}

The ROKS-3 was a simplified model designed to be easier to manufacture. It did away with the disguise for the backpack, though it retained the flame projector designed to resemble a rifle. Both models carried around {{convert|9|L|gal}} of fuel. The fuel was propelled by nitrogen gas pressurized at {{convert|115|bar}} and, under ideal circumstances, had a maximum range of around {{convert|45|m|yd}}.

file:Finnish soldier with a ROKS-3 flamethrower SA-kuva 131383.jpg

The Finnish designation for captured ROKS-2 units was liekinheitin M/41-r. Captured Soviet flamethrowers saw some use by Finnish forces during the Continuation War. They were operated by two-man teams of combat engineers. They were well regarded by the Finns, although flamethrowers of all kinds saw little use by Finnish forces.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/FLAMETHROWER.htm |title=Portable Flame-throwers |date=May 9, 2013 |website=JAEGER PLATOON: FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945 WEBSITE}}

Some ROKS-3 units were supplied to North Korea,{{cite book|title=North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition|chapter=ROKS-3 FLAMETHROWER| page= A-88|author=US Department of Defense |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf}} Czechoslovakia, Kingdom of Yemen (via Czechoslovakia),{{sfn|Smisek|2023|page=96}} and North Vietnam.{{sfn|Embassy of Vietnam|1971|page=19}}