RPG-76 Komar is a Polish light one-shot anti-tank grenade launcher that fires an unguided anti-tankrocket-propelled grenade. The weapon was designed as a smaller and lighter alternative to the RPG-7, especially for use by airborne troops. Thanks to jet nozzles located between the warhead and the fuel compartment, it can be fired from inside of a building or a vehicle.
Design phase
In 1971 in the Polish Military Institute of Defense Technology a program codenamed “Argon” was begun. The goal of the project was to develop an anti-tank grenade launcher with a single use launch tube, which could supplement the RPG-7 launcher. Two versions were considered: a recoilless rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The rocket variant was chosen because earlier experience gained during the development of the rocket assisted PGN-60 rifle grenade used by the Carbine-grenade launcher Kbkg wz. 1960. At this stage apart from the team of Polish scientists, a team of Bulgarian scientists from the Military Institute of Research and Development in Sofia was also involved. The task of the Bulgarian scientists was to develop the rocket engine and the launcher. The presentation of the first prototype took place in 1973 on the III Central Military Invention and rationalization Exhibition, the weapon was then designated as “HEAT grenade with single use launch tube RPG-73”. In 1980 a series of prototype launchers was produced. In the following years cooperation with Bulgarians has broken down, and the launcher was continued to be developed as a Polish only project.
Operational history
The weapon was adopted by the Polish Army in 1985 as the "RPG-76 Komar", and with the warhead incapable of penetrating the front armor of modern western tanks it became a specialist weapon, never to be deployed by regular troops. It was produced in the Precision works in Niewiadów, Poland. The weapon is no longer produced. In the year 2003 it was withdrawn from front line units due to the limited anti-tank capabilities of the grenade. Polish involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan changed this with Polish airborne and special forces using the Komar in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Polish soldiers also used a small number of heavier multipurpose Carl Gustavrecoilless rifles using a variety of modern ammunition types. The weapon is shipped in wooden crates, each launcher is sealed in an airtight plastic sheet and 6 launchers are placed in each crate. Komar is an effective anti-personnel weapon, against light armored vehicles and firing posts.
