In the 1960s the 40mm rifled hand grenade launchers were used for aimed fire of the splinter antipersonnel grenades. The range of grenade launching overlapped the distance of throwing grenades by hand and the minimal range of fire by battalion mortars. Such single shot grenade launchers (like German HK1 or Polish Wz.83 PALLAD D) or revolver type (like Russian 6G30) are currently in use. However, since the 1970s more successful underbarrel grenade launchers attached to the submachine gun or assault rifle (American M203, Soviet GP 25 and GP 30) were used. The underbarrel grenade launchers fire grenades at ranges of up to 400 m, thus outperforming the rifle grenade launchers and their low dispersion of shot pattern allows to prepare a grenade for immediate launching. The grenade launching is usually performed on the high angle trajectory, so a special sight is attached to the weapon together with the grenade launcher. In addition to the splinter grenade another rounds or projectiles are developed, including splinter/hollow charge, high explosive, smoke, gas and canister.
     The automatic mounted grenade launchers were acknowledged in the capacity of lethal and powerful fire support weapons. Featuring Cal. 30-40mm these are capable to deliver constant high angle fire by splinter or special purpose (smoke, illuminating) grenades at ranges from 100 to 1,700 mm, thereby rendering fire support for infantry subunits, concentrate fire of areas of terrain, cover the flanks of subunits and put fire barrage. Among other things their mobility or ease of operation has strong resemblance to that of the mounted machine guns and sometimes, they are rated for similar mounts. They are most effec tive in the open and while acting against enemy in shelters as was the case successfully demonstrated by the Soviet AGS 17 «Plamya» in Afghanistan. The cooperation and team work between the automatic mounted grenade launchers and the general purpose large caliber machine guns, automatic guns of the infantry combat vehicle (BMP) and Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) is very effective in support of units in various types of combat. The automatic mounted grenades launchers are used in the capacity of arma ment of the BMPs. We note that the American Mk19 is installed on the tripod, in automobiles and APCs and the Soviet AG 17s were installed in the infantry combat vehicles, airborne combat vehicles and helicopters. This group weapon of fire support became in reality the resurrection of light «infantry guns» capable to replace the light 50-60mm mortars. The attempts were being made to develop hand (or «general purpose») automatic grenade launchers like the experimental Soviet 30mm AGB.
     Not infrequently weapons pertaining to the competence of other services of the armed forces are being used. For instance, jet infantry flame throwers, mine laying and mine sweeping aids.

RGS-33 multi-purpose grenade launcher	RMG multi-purpose rocket weapon	RPG-7V anti-tank rocket launcher
RPG-18 light anti-armour weapon	RPG-22 light anti-armour weapon	RPG-26 light anti-armour weapon
RPG-27 light anti-armour weapon	RPG-28 light anti-armour weapon	RPG-29 anti-tank rocket launcher
RPG-32 anti-tank rocket launcher	RShG-1 multi-purpose rocket weapon	RShG-2 multi-purpose rocket weapon
Rocket infantry flame-throwers (RPO-A) Shmel	Rocket infantry flame thrower RPO PDM-A Shmel-M