Hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers remain widely used in local conflicts that lack full drone capabilities, military expert Yuri Knutov told state news agency TASS.
Knutov explained that the ongoing demand for shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, commonly known as RPGs, is directly tied to the presence or absence of unmanned aerial vehicles on the battlefield.
He said the launchers remain in high demand across various regional conflicts where armed forces have not yet fully integrated uncrewed aircraft into their combat operations.
Knutov suggested that the future development of effective anti-drone defense systems could enable the active return of tanks to frontline combat. Such a resurgence of heavy armor would restore the primary tactical purpose of RPGs, allowing forces to employ them once again for direct anti-tank warfare.
Hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers are portable shoulder-fired weapons engineered to launch explosive warheads against tanks, armored vehicles, and fortified positions. The term RPG originates from the Russian designation ruchnoy protivotankovyy granatomyot. Developed throughout the twentieth century, these weapons remain standard infantry equipment worldwide due to their low production cost, portability, and ease of operation.
Upgraded RPG systems presented in South Africa
The expert comments follow recent announcements regarding Russian weapon exports. State defense company Rosoboronexport presented the modernized RPG-29M Vampire grenade launcher for the first time at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 exhibition in South Africa.
According to Rosoboronexport, the upgraded RPG-29M Vampire features improved ergonomics and an increased maximum firing range compared to earlier versions of the system.
The RPG-29 Vampire series originally entered service as a reusable shoulder-fired anti-tank launcher designed to counter heavy armor equipped with explosive reactive armor plating. The modernized variant builds upon the baseline weapon design to enhance operator handling and distance engagement capabilities.
Rosoboronexport is Russia's sole state intermediary agency for the export and import of defense products, military technologies, and services. The Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, held biennially in South Africa, serves as the continent's largest defense trade show, showcasing land, sea, and air capabilities to international military delegations.
TASS is a major state-owned news agency based in Moscow, serving as Russia's official outlet for reporting on military affairs, defense industrial policy, and government announcements.
