| RPG-16 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rocket-propelled grenade Launcher |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1976–present[1] |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Soviet–Afghan War[2] War in Afghanistan Iraq War Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1968 |
| No. built | ~120,000[3] |
| Variants | RPG-16D for Airborne troops[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.4 kg (21 lb) Loaded - 12.4 kg (27 lb) Rocket - 3 kg (6.6 lb) |
| Length | Ready to fire - 1,104 mm (43.5 in) Carrying - 645 mm (25.4 in) |
| Crew | 2 men standard - Gunner and assistant |
| Caliber | 58.3 mm (2.30 in) warhead |
| Rate of fire | 4–6 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | Initial - 130 m/s (430 ft/s) Max - 350 m/s (1,100 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 300 m (980 ft) against tanks 500 m (1,600 ft) against stationary targets |
| Sights | Iron sights or Optical sight |
| Blast yield | 300 mm (12 in) RHA |
The RPG-16 is a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher for anti-tank warfare. It was developed in 1968 and adopted by the Soviet Army in 1970 for special operation teams[4] and the Soviet airborne troops (VDV). These were deployed during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989) and saw service during several battles in that conflict.