The Ministry of Defense has codified and approved the use of the domestically produced 40mm caliber automatic grenade launcher AGL-53 for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Main Directorate for the Life Cycle Support of Weapons and Military Equipment, as conveyed by the Ministry of Defense.
"The new grenade launcher model uses 40x53mm ammunition. This is the standard for unitary shots for automatic grenade launcher systems in NATO countries' armies," the statement says.
It is noted that this grenade launcher can be mounted on combat vehicles or light all-terrain vehicles. With a special tripod, it can serve as a group infantry weapon.
The AGL-53 is distinguished by better fire accuracy and shooting range compared to the Soviet counterpart – the AGS-17 30mm caliber automatic grenade launcher. Among its other advantages are overall ergonomics and design reliability.
Ukrainian defense enterprises, as reported by the Ministry, have mastered the production of several types of grenade launchers for 40mm rounds in recent years. These include single-shot models used as under-barrel attachments for small arms to fire 40mm unitary shots or with a form factor for use in combat as additional infantry weapons.
To date, Ukrainian gunsmiths have mastered the production of many types of infantry weapons: 60mm, 82mm, and 120mm mortars, 5.56mm caliber assault rifles based on AR rifle platforms, anti-material and sniper rifles for 12.7x99mm and 7.62x51mm cartridges, as well as pistols and submachine guns for 9x19mm ammunition.
"Establishing domestic production of infantry weapons opens up new opportunities for meeting the needs of the Defense Forces, enhancing the firepower of our infantry," the Ministry noted.
Deputy Minister of Defense Valerii Churkin emphasized the need to accelerate the transition from the use of outdated Soviet-era weapons in the Ukrainian military and provide the Defense Forces with better domestic weapons models, standardized for ammunition use with NATO member states' armies.
"Technical compatibility of weapons with partner armies is a fundamental necessity for the development of our military," he stressed.
