RPG-29

The RPG-29 is a shoulder-fired, unguided, tube-style, breech-loading anti-tank rocket system with an effective range of {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.gunsandweapons.net/rpg-29/ |title=RPG-29 – Vampir |date=June 9, 2013 |website=Guns and Weapons |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620012148/http://www.gunsandweapons.net/rpg-29/ |archive-date=2013-06-20}} The light weapon is designed to be carried and used by one soldier. Atop the launch tube is a 2.7× 1P38 optical sight.

When launched, the missile deploys eight fins as the rocket leaves the launcher, stabilizing the rocket during flight, up to an effective range of {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite book |title=OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide |year=2001 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/17773284/WEG |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) DCSINT Threat Support Directorate, US Army, via Scribd |access-date=2017-09-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201185419/http://www.scribd.com/doc/17773284/WEG |archive-date=2014-02-01}}

File:TBG-29V Thermobaric Granat Army-2022 2022-08-20 2237.jpg

File:OG-29 Antipersonal Granat Army-2022 2022-08-20 2235.jpg

File:PG-29V Antiarmor & TBG-29V Thermobaric Granats Army-2022 2022-08-20 2236.jpg

Three warheads are available for the weapon:

• The TBG-29V thermobaric anti-personnel round.
• The OG-29 high-explosive/fragmentation (HE/FRAG) round for anti-personnel purposes. This is an Iranian round produced by Shahed Weaponry with a time fuze and over 2,000 premade fragments.{{Cite web | title=RPG-29 Multi-Purpose Rockets - Shahed Weaponry | url=https://shahed-weaponry.org/product/rpg-29-multi-purpose-rockets/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526170118/https://shahed-weaponry.org/product/rpg-29-multi-purpose-rockets/ | access-date=2025-02-12 | archive-date=2024-05-26}}
• The PG-29V anti-tank/bunker round has a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat explosive reactive armor (ERA). This warhead is standardized with that of the PG-7VR round fired by the RPG-7V rocket launcher.{{cite web |title=RPG-29 anti-tank rocket launcher|url=http://gunrf.ru/rg_granatomet_rpg-29_eng.html|website=Firearms Russia|access-date=2015-10-08

}} With a tandem-charge, an initial small charge detonates any reactive armor. If explosive reactive armor (ERA) or cage armor is absent, this charge strikes the main armor. Behind the primary charge, a much larger secondary shaped charge bursts at the rear of the initial warhead and projects a thin, high-speed-jet of metal into the armour compromised by the first charge. PG-29V can kill hard targets, including tanks with ERA.{{Citation needed |date=February 2018}}

The RPG-29 is unusual among Russian anti-tank rocket launchers in that it lacks an initial propellant charge to place the projectile at a safe distance from the operator before the rocket ignites. Instead, the rocket engine starts as soon as a trigger is pulled, and burns out before the projectile leaves the barrel.

On the bottom of the tube is a shoulder brace for proper positioning along with a pistol grip trigger mechanism. A side rail on its left side accepts a 1PN51-2 night sight.{{cite book |title=ИЗДЕЛИЕ 1ПН51-2 ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОПИСАНИЕ И ИНСТРУКЦИЯ ПО ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ |trans-title=Product 1PN51-2 Technical Description and Operating Instructions |date=September 1991 |no-pp=yes |pages=52 pages |language=ru}}

File:Tula State Museum of Weapons (79-58).jpg, RPG-26, RPG-18]]

The RPG-29 was developed during the late 1980s, following the development of the RPG-26, and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1989. It has recently seen intermittent use by irregular forces in the Middle East theater, including in combat against Allied forces during the Iraq War, and the 2006 Lebanon War, when it was used against Israeli forces.

The RPG-29 is believed to have been used in skirmishes against American and British forces during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq.{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Michael R. |date=May 21, 2008 |title=Operation in Sadr City Is an Iraqi Success, So Far |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/middleeast/21sadr.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin |access-date=February 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623214243/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/world/middleeast/21sadr.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin |archive-date=June 23, 2017}} An RPG-29 round was reported in August 2006 to have penetrated the frontal underside hull (equipped with ERA) of a Challenger 2 tank during an engagement in al-Amarah, Iraq, maiming one and wounding several other crew members, but only lightly damaging the tank, which drove home under its own power.{{Cite news |last=Rayment |first=Sean |date=May 12, 2007 |title=MoD kept failure of best tank quiet |publisher=Sunday Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/13/nmod13.xml |access-date=May 23, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418132029/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/13/nmod13.xml |archive-date=April 18, 2008}}

On August 25, 2007 a PG-29V hit a passing M1 Abrams in the hull rear wounding 3 crew members.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} On September 5, 2007, a PG-29V hit the side turret of an M1 Abrams in Baghdad, killing 2 of the crew and wounding 1, and the tank was seriously damaged.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

In May 2008, The New York Times disclosed that another M1 Abrams tank had also been damaged by an RPG-29 in Iraq, while fighting Shia militias at Sadr City. The US Army ranks the RPG-29 threat to armor so high that they refused to allow the newly formed Iraqi army to buy it, fearing that it would fall into insurgent hands.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Craig S. |date=August 28, 2005 |title=Big Guns For Iraq? Not So Fast |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/weekinreview/28smith.html?pagewanted=all |access-date=February 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013150933/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/weekinreview/28smith.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=October 13, 2013}}

During the conflict, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that the RPG-29 was a major source of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) casualties in the 2006 Lebanon War.{{citation |last=Schiff |first=Ze'ev |date=6 August 2006 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4860368 |title=Hezbollah anti-tank fire causing most IDF casualties in Lebanon |publisher=Haaretz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416084507/https://www.haaretz.com/1.4860368 |archive-date=April 16, 2018}} Shortly before the end of the conflict the Russian Kommersant magazine acknowledged through anonymous sources the possibility of a weapons transfer between Syria and Hezbollah during the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.{{citation |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/20/europe/EU_GEN_Russia_Israel_Hezbollah.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126202112/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/20/europe/EU_GEN_Russia_Israel_Hezbollah.php |archive-date=2006-11-26 |title=Russian Minister says Russia, Israel have settled differences over Hezbollah arms |publisher=International Herald Tribune |date=20 October 2006}}

During the Syrian Civil War, Syrian Opposition Forces, Syrian Armed Forces and Islamic State (ISIL) used RPG-29s.{{Cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/russia-rpg-threat-to-modern-nato-tanks-2017-6?r=US&IR=T |title=The US is looking at a major tank upgrade, but a weapon to counter it is already out there |work=Business Insider Deutschland |access-date=2018-05-06 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507003335/https://www.businessinsider.de/russia-rpg-threat-to-modern-nato-tanks-2017-6?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=2018-05-07}}

The cartels are known to have smuggled RPG-29s with some seized by Mexican forces.{{Cite web|url=https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/mexican-cartel-tactical-note-20-rpg-29-anti-armor-munitions|title=Mexican Cartel Tactical Note #20: RPG-29 Anti-Armor Munitions | Small Wars Journal|website=smallwarsjournal.com|accessdate=7 July 2023}}

During the 2014 Gaza War, Hamas had RPG-29s in their inventory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/the-combat-performance-of-hamas-in-the-gaza-war-of-2014/ |title=The Combat Performance of Hamas in the Gaza War of 2014 |date=29 September 2014 |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303212008/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/the-combat-performance-of-hamas-in-the-gaza-war-of-2014/ |url-status=dead }}

During the Iraqi Civil War, ISIL has used RPG-29s in Iraq, probably ones taken in Syria. And anti-ISIL Shia militias in Iraq have also used RPG-29s, the Iranian produced "Ghadir", which was supplied by Iran.

File:RPG-29 operators.png

• {{flag|Algeria}}{{cite web |url=https://rg.ru/2021/11/11/pustynnyj-vampir-rpg-29-priniat-na-vooruzhenie-armii-alzhira.html |title=Пустынный "Вампир": РПГ-29 принят на вооружение армии Алжира|language=ru|trans-title=Desert "Vampire": RPG-29 adopted by Algerian army |date=11 November 2021 |website=rg.ru|access-date=25 January 2022}}
• {{Flag|Brazil}} - Locally produced
• {{Flag|Cuba}}
• {{flagicon|Iran}} Iran - Locally produced as the "Ghadir"{{cite web |title=آرپی جی29؛تیری جدید در کمان ارتش ایران + عکس |url=http://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/83534/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D9%BE%DB%8C-%D8%AC%DB%8C29-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |website=مشرق نیوز |access-date=2 June 2017 |language=fa |date=7 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501145809/http://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/83534/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D9%BE%DB%8C-%D8%AC%DB%8C29-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |archive-date=1 May 2017}}
• {{flagicon|Mexico}} Mexico -Locally produced {{cite magazine |title=Portable Anti-Tank Weapons in Mexico & the Northern Central American Triangle |url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=2954 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402142813/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=2954 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |first=Julio A. |last=Montes |date=8 May 2015|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal|issue=1|volume=7}}
• {{flagicon|North Korea}} North Korea{{cite web |url=https://www.nknews.org/2019/03/north-korea-sanctions-evasion-efforts-detailed-in-un-poe-report/ |title=North Korea sanctions evasion efforts detailed in UN's latest PoE report - NK News - North Korea News |date=12 March 2019 |website=nknews.org |access-date=16 March 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315231526/https://www.nknews.org/2019/03/north-korea-sanctions-evasion-efforts-detailed-in-un-poe-report/ |archive-date=15 March 2019}}
• {{flagicon|Russia}} Russia{{sfnp|Galeotti|2017|p=56}}
• {{flagicon|Syria}} Syria{{cite book |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf |chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-04-EN.pdf |chapter=Trade Update: After the ‘Arab Spring’ |title=Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2015 |author= |ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2015}} |page=107 |access-date=2018-08-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128065841/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf |archive-date=2018-01-28}}
• {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan
• {{flag|Ukraine}}{{cite web |title=RPG-29 Vampir (Vampire) |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=487 |access-date=2022-07-02 |website=www.militaryfactory.com |language=en-US}}
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} Vietnam - Locally produced {{cite web |url=https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2018/09/05/vietnam-builds-so-many-weapons-for-its-army/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911235303/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2018/09/05/vietnam-builds-so-many-weapons-for-its-army/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |title=Vietnam Builds So Many Weapons For Its Army {{!}} 21st Century Asian Arms Race |date=5 September 2018}}{{Cite web |date=19 Apr 2022 |title=Vietnam produced RPG-29 rocket launcher and named it SCT-29 |url=https://min.news/en/military/416980b2899d1ccfcfdd9baac17b6641.html |access-date=19 Apr 2022 |website=iMedia}}

• {{flag|Hezbollah}}{{cite news |url=https://jamestown.org/program/hezbollahs-creative-tactical-use-of-anti-tank-weaponry/ |title=Hezbollah's Creative Tactical Use of Anti-Tank Weaponry |website=Jamestown}}{{cite report |last=Totten |first=Michael J. |date=May 12, 2009 |url=http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2009/05/the-future-of-i.php |title=The Future of Iraq, Part I |website=Michaeltotten.com |access-date=16 March 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143353/http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2009/05/the-future-of-i.php |archive-date=14 August 2017|quote=They've gotten some specialized training, some weaponry like the RPG-29 – which is one of the best Eastern bloc RPGs out there – and they use them to hit M1 tanks.}}
• {{flag|Hamas}}
• {{Flagdeco|Ba'athist Iraq}} Iraqi insurgents (2003–11){{cite book |author= |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 |page=326 |isbn=978-0-521-19714-4 |access-date=2018-08-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002411/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html |archive-date=2018-08-31}}
• {{flag|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} - At least one used during the Siege of Menagh Air Base in the Syrian Civil War
• {{flag|Taliban}} (during 2013 through 2015){{cite journal|title=Counterinsurgency Challenge in Post-2001 Afghanistan|author=Antonio Giustozzi|page=18|journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies}}
• {{flagicon image|Flag of Syria 2011, observed.svg}} Syrian rebels

• {{flag|Soviet Union}} - Passed on to successor states.

• {{lwc|M47 Dragon}}
• {{lwc|PF-98}}
• {{lwc|LRAC F1}}
• {{lwc|M79 Osa}}
• Rocket-propelled grenade (includes a description of tactics and history)

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |date=2017 |title=The Modern Russian Army 1992–2016 |location=Oxford |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1472819086}}

{{Commons category|RPG-29}}

• {{cite web |last=Fofanov |first=Vasiliy |title=Modern Russian Armor |url=http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/ |access-date=5 October 2015}}

{{Russian RPG series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rpg-29}}

Category:Anti-tank rockets

Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers of Russia

Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers of the Soviet Union

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1989

Category:Bazalt products