RPG-18

The RPG-18 Mukha (Муха) is a Soviet short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher designed in 1972. It was based on the M72 LAW.

History


The RPG-18 is very similar to the US M72-series LAW anti-tank rocket launcher, with captured examples during the Vietnam War likely being sent to the Soviet Union. The RPG-18 has been succeeded by the RPG-22, a very similar design with a larger warhead.

Description
The RPG-18 fires a 64 mm PG-18 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead mounted on a small rocket able to engage targets within 200 meters. The warhead self-destructs six seconds after launch, placing a limit on range even if a sight was used that was effective with targets beyond 200 meters. The RPG-18 can penetrate up to 300 mm of conventional armor. However, performance is significantly lessened when the RPG-18 is used against targets protected by HEAT-resistant explosive reactive armour (ERA) or composite armor.

Unlike better known weapons, the RPG-18 requires only one operator because it is not reloadable. Assistant grenadiers are used to help reload the RPG-2, RPG-7 and RPG-16 systems.

Users

 * 🇹🇩 Chad
 * Republic of the Congo
 * Georgia
 * Hamas
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq Iraqi insurgents
 * Transnistria
 * 🇵🇦 Panama
 * Free Syrian Army
 * Hamas
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq Iraqi insurgents
 * Transnistria
 * 🇵🇦 Panama
 * Free Syrian Army
 * Transnistria
 * 🇵🇦 Panama
 * Free Syrian Army
 * Free Syrian Army
 * Free Syrian Army

Former users

 * Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
 * Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda
 * Donetsk People's Republic: Used by DPR forces during the War in Donbas and the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine before their annexation by Russia in November 2022.
 * Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN)
 * 🇳🇮: Sandinista Popular Army
 * : Passed on to successor states.
 * Real Irish Republican Army
 * Real Irish Republican Army

General

 * Jones, Richard. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–06. Coulsdon: Jane's, 2005. ISBN 0-7106-2694-0.