RPG-26

{{infobox weapon

| name = RPG-26

| image = File:РШГ-2.webp

| image_size = 300px

| caption =

| origin = Soviet Union

| type = Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher

| is_ranged = yes

| is_explosive =

| is_artillery =

| is_missile =

| service = 1985–present

| used_by = Russian Ground Forces

| wars = {{ubl|Syrian Civil War|Russo-Ukrainian War}}

| designer = State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt

| design_date = 1980s

| manufacturer = State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt

| unit_cost =

| production_date = 1985–present

| number =

| variants = RShG-2

| spec_label =

| weight = {{ubl|{{convert|1.8|kg|lbs}} (projectile)|{{convert|2.9|kg|lbs}} (loaded)}}

| length = {{convert|77|cm|in}}

| part_length =

| width =

| height =

| diameter =

| crew =

| passengers =

| cartridge =

| cartridge_weight =

| caliber = {{convert|72.5|mm}}

| barrels =

| action = {{ubl|440 mm: RHA|1000 mm: Reinforced concrete|1500 mm: Brickwork|2400 mm: Log and earth}}

| rate =

| velocity = {{convert|144|m/s|abbr=on}}

| range = {{convert|250|m|yd|abbr=on}}

| max_range =

| feed =

| sights = Iron sights

}}

The RPG-26 Aglen is a disposable anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher developed by the Soviet Union. It fires a one-stage rocket with jack-knife fins, which unfold after launch. The rocket carries a {{convert|72.5|mm|adj=on}} diameter high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) single shaped charge warhead able to penetrate {{convert|440|mm}} of armour, {{convert|1|m}} of reinforced concrete or {{convert|1.5|m}} of brickwork. It has a maximum effective range of around {{convert|250|m}}. The similar sized rocket features a slightly heavier and more powerful HEAT warhead and more powerful rocket engine. The limited extension of the RPG-22 launch tube was found of little use. Thus, the RPG-26 has a rigid non-telescoping launch tube.

Variants

The RShG-2 (Russian: {{lang|ru|Реактивная Штурмовая Граната}}, Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata, Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade) Aglen-2 (Аглень-2) is a RPG-26 variant with thermobaric warhead. RShG-2 is heavier than the RPG-26 at {{convert|3.5|kg}} and has a reduced direct fire range of {{convert|115|m}}. It is intended for use against infantry and structures rather than armoured vehicles.

The warhead contains {{convert|1.16|kg}} of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of {{convert|3|kg}} 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 {{convert|300|mm}} of concrete and {{convert|500|mm}} of brickwork.

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

Operators

=Current operators=

{{flag|Armenia}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-10 |title=Российское оружие в Армении |trans-title=Russian weapons in Armenia |url=http://nvo.ng.ru/armament/2018-08-10/3_1008_subject.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161605/https://nvo.ng.ru/armament/2018-08-10/3_1008_subject.html |archive-date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website={{lang|ru|Независимая газета}} |language=ru}}
{{flag|Azerbaijan}}
{{flag|Belarus}}{{cite news |last1=Mizokami |first1=Kyle |title=Belarus Invents Tank-Killing Quadcopter Drone |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a21086194/belarus-invents-tank-killing-quadcopter-drone/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Popular Mechanics |date=5 June 2018}}
{{flag|China}} - RShG-2 variant
{{flag|Georgia}} - domestic variant PDM-1{{Cite web |title=SDC Delta: Small Arms |url=http://delta.gov.ge/file/2016/10/small-arm-a4.compressed.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129130941/http://www.delta.gov.ge/file/2016/10/small-arm-a4.compressed.pdf |archive-date=2020-01-29 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=STC Delta |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Single-shot Grenade Launcher PDM-1 |url=http://www.delta.gov.ge/en/product/pdm-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232513/http://www.delta.gov.ge/en/product/pdm-1/ |archive-date=2017-12-29 |access-date=2017-12-29 |website=STC Delta |language=en}}
{{flaglist|Houthis}}{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=Ian |last2=Shaikh |first2=Shaan |title=Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal |journal=The Missile War in Yemen |date=2020 |pages=34–52 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep24837.15 |access-date=19 August 2024 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)}}
{{flag|Jordan}} - 3,000 in possession{{cn|date=October 2018}}
{{flag|Russia}}{{Cite book |last=Ferguson |first=Jonathan |url=http://armamentresearch.com/Uploads/Research%20Report%20No.%203%20-%20Raising%20Red%20Flags.pdf |title=Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014 |last2=Jenzen-Jones |first2=N.R. |date=November 2014 |publisher=Armament Research Services |isbn=978-0-9924624-3-7 |series=Research Report 3 |pages=26,48 |language=en |access-date=2022-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302222538/https://armamentresearch.com/Uploads/Research%20Report%20No.%203%20-%20Raising%20Red%20Flags.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-02 |url-status=live}}
{{flag|Syria}}{{Cite web |last=Toumaj |first=Amir |date=2016-10-14 |title=Russian influence evident in Palestinian militia in Syria |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/russian-influence-evident-in-palestinian-militia-in-syria.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161604/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/russian-influence-evident-in-palestinian-militia-in-syria.php |archive-date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2016-11-28 |website=Long War Journal |language=en}}
{{flag|Transnistria}}{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Соколов |first=Борис |date=2013-03-12 |title=Malen'kaya i maloboyesposobnaya |script-title=ru:Маленькая и малобоеспособная |trans-title=Small and underpowered |url=https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031134336/https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |archive-date=2020-10-31 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Military-Industrial Courier |language=ru}}}}
{{flag|Venezuela}} - RShG-2 variant

=Former operators=

{{flag|Soviet Union}}

RPG-26

Variants

Operators

=Current operators=

=Former operators=

References

Further reading