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RPG-22

{{Infobox weapon

| name = RPG-22

| image = RPG-22 at exhibition «Presence».png

| image_size = 300

| caption = RPG-22 launcher

| origin = Soviet Union

| type = Disposable Rocket-propelled grenade

| is_ranged = yes

| is_bladed =

| is_explosive = yes

| is_artillery = yes

| is_vehicle =

| service = 1985–present

| used_by = See Operators

| wars = Soviet–Afghan War{{cite book|title=Soviet Paratrooper vs Mujahideen Fighter: Afghanistan 1979–89|series=Combat 29|publisher=Osprey Publishing|first=David |last=Campbell|date=30 Nov 2017|isbn=9781472817648|page=62}}
Russo-Georgian War
Iraq War
Syrian Civil Warhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRBNYDKoebU {{better source needed|date=August 2018}}
War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Russo-Ukrainian War

| designer =

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| weight = 2.8 kg (loaded)

| length = 785 mm (unarmed)
850 mm (ready to fire)

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| cartridge = HEAT

| caliber = 72.5 mm

| action = 400 mm: RHA
1000 mm: Concrete
1200 mm: Brick

| rate =

| velocity = 133 m/s

| range = 150–200 m

| max_range = 250 m

| feed =

| sights =

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The Soviet RPG-22 Netto is a one-shot disposable anti-tank rocket launcher first deployed in 1985, based on the RPG-18 rocket launcher, but firing a larger 72.5 mm fin stabilised projectile. The weapon fires an unguided projectile, can be prepared to fire in around 10 seconds, and can penetrate 400 mm of armour, 1.2 metres of brick or 1 metre of reinforced concrete.{{cite news |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/RPG-22-Neto-light-anti-tank-weapon-Russian-Federation.html |title=RPG-22 Neto light anti-tank weapon (Russian Federation), Anti-tank weapons |publisher=Jane's Infantry Weapons |date=11 December 2009 |accessdate=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102806/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/RPG-22-Neto-light-anti-tank-weapon-Russian-Federation.html |archive-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=live }}

Operation

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

The smoothbore container is made from two fibreglass parts; a main tube containing the rocket, and a telescoping forward extension, which slides over the barrel.

In transport mode, both ends of the barrel are closed by plastic covers, which open when the weapon is extended. The firing mechanism is manually cocked by raising the rear sight. Lowering the rear sight de-cocks the weapon if there is no target.

On firing, there is a backblast danger area behind the weapon, of at least 15 metres. The solid propellant motor completely burns out while the rocket is still in the barrel tube, accelerating it to about 133 metres per second. The weapon has simple pop-up sights graduated to ranges of 50, 150 and 250 metres.

To keep training costs down, a reusable RPG-22 is available that fires a 30 mm subcalibre projectile, weighing 350g, to operational ranges. Handling is identical to that of the full calibre version, with the exception of the discharge noise and backblast.

Real IRA use

On the evening of 20 September 2000, dissident Irish Republican group the Real IRA attacked the MI6 Building in London (the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service) with a single RPG-22 round, causing superficial damage - see 2000 MI6 attack.{{cite web|last=Cracknell|first=David|title=Found: Real IRA's rocket launcher that scored a hit on MI6|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1373268/Found-Real-IRAs-rocket-launcher-that-scored-a-hit-on-MI6.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 November 2000|accessdate=26 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721142611/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1373268/Found-Real-IRAs-rocket-launcher-that-scored-a-hit-on-MI6.html|archive-date=21 July 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title='Rocket' theory over MI6 blast|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/934937.stm|date=2000-09-21|accessdate=2009-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217025136/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/934937.stm|archive-date=17 December 2012|url-status=live}} The rocket used in London was made in Russia; a rocket found in a Real IRA cache near Dungannon came from Bulgaria.{{cite web|title=Missile launcher in attack was new to UK|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/missile-launcher-in-mi6-attack-was-new-to-uk-698787.html|date=2000-09-23|accessdate=2009-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029132333/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/missile-launcher-in-mi6-attack-was-new-to-uk-698787.html|archive-date=29 October 2017|url-status=live}} A weapons cache destined for the Real IRA, seized in Croatia in August 2000, contained a number of RPG-22s. Prices range from £150 to £220 per launcher.

Operators

File:RPG-22 operators.png

=Current operators=

  • {{RUS}} – Russian Ground Forces
  • {{BUL}} – Bulgarian Land Forces, local production at VMZ Sopot.{{cite web|url=http://vmz.bg/en/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F/%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%B2%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%BA%D0%B0/%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%BF/|title=RPG-22 NETTO|publisher=VMZ Sopot Official Website|accessdate=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061919/http://vmz.bg/en/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F/%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%B2%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%BA%D0%B0/%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%BF/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}
  • {{COL}} – Colombian National Army
  • {{CRO}} – Croatian Army
  • {{GEO}} – Georgian Land Forces
  • {{IND}} – Indian Army
  • {{flag|Iraq}}: Iraqi insurgents{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2012/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2012-Chapter-10-EN.pdf|chapter=Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia|title=Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2012|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=324|isbn=978-0-521-19714-4|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002411/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=dead}}
  • {{flag|Moldova}} – Moldovan Ground Forces
  • {{PER}} – Peruvian Army{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
  • {{SYR}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/are-syrian-rebels-now-armed-with-heavy-weapons-from-croatia/|title=Are Syrian rebels now armed with heavy weapons from Croatia?|website=Atlantic Council|access-date=3 August 2023|date=25 February 2023|author=Michael Weiss}}
  • {{flag|Transnistria}}
  • {{flag|Turkmenistan}} – Turkmenistan Ground Forces
  • {{UKR}} – Ukrainian Ground Forces, Ukrainian National Guard.

=Former operators=

  • {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} Soviet Union, passed on to successor states{{cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/firearms/rpg_22.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208030016/http://www.military-today.com/firearms/rpg_22.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=8 February 2018 |title = RPG-22 Single-Use Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher {{!}} Military-Today.com}}
  • Real Irish Republican Army

See also

  • {{lwc|M72 LAW}}
  • {{lwc|M80 Zolja}}
  • {{lwc|PF-89}}
  • {{lwc|Kestrel (rocket launcher)|Kestrel}}

References

{{Reflist|2}}

Reference in print

{{Commons category|RPG-22}}

  • Jones, Richard. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–06. Coulsdon: Jane's, 2005. {{ISBN|0-7106-2694-0}}.

{{Russian RPG series}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Cold War anti-tank rockets of the Soviet Union

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s