2A72 30 mm automatic cannon

Also known as

2A72
30 mm 2A72
2A72 automatic cannon

The 2A72 is a Russian 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon designed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau and manufactured by Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company. Army Guide identifies it as a 30 mm cannon first shown publicly in 1995, with documented installations on the BMP-3, BTR-80A, BTR-82A, prototype Pantsir-S1, and Kliver mounts.

2A72 30 mm automatic cannon, 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon, Artillery

Image source: Commons BTR-82A 2A72 Autocannon 01

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Russia
Built by: Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company
Type: 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon
Service note: 1990s-present
Designer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Designed: 1995
Produced: 1990s-present

autocannon 30 mm cannon

Specifications

Caliber: 30 mm
Muzzle velocity: 960 m/s
Rate of fire: 400 rounds per minute
Weight: 84 kg
Recoil force: 6,000 kg
Ammunition: AP-T and HE-I
Effective range: 1,500 m against armored targets; 2,000 m against lightly armored targets; 4,000 m against helicopters

Carrier Platforms

Rosoboronexport identifies the BTR-82A family as carrying the 2A72 as its main weapon.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

BTR-82/BTR-82A, 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrier, Armored Vehicles

8x8 amphibious APC

Rosoboronexport names the 2A72 as the BTR-82A main weapon.

Sources: BTR-82A Armoured Personnel Carrier

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Installed on the BMP-3, BTR-80A, BTR-82A, prototype Pantsir-S1, and Kliver mounts.

Media

2A72 30 mm automatic cannon Images

2A72 30 mm automatic cannon, 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon, Artillery - view 1 — Source: Commons BTR-82A 2A72 Autocannon 02

Related Weapon Systems

30 mm ADEN cannon, 30 mm aircraft cannon, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVs30 mm ADEN cannon30 mm aircraft cannonThe 30 mm ADEN cannon is a British aircraft revolver cannon developed from the German MG 213 concept and built by Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. RAF and IWM records tie the gun to post-war British fighters and trainer aircraft, including Lightning F6 service and later Hawk 127 gunpod use.

FPM-1 automatic gun, 30 mm automatic gun, Infantry Weapons

Infantry WeaponsFPM-1 automatic gun30 mm automatic gunThe FPM-1 automatic gun is a 30 mm automatic gun listed in the BTR-3E armament section, where it appears in the CM-3M combat module fit on a Ukrainian armored vehicle. The same designation is also documented on the BTR-4E armament page, tying the gun to multiple Ukrainian carrier-platform fits.

MK 46 Mod 2 30mm GWS, 30 mm remote gun system, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsMK 46 Mod 2 30mm GWS30 mm remote gun systemThe MK 46 Mod 2 30mm GWS is a remotely operated U.S. Navy shipboard gun system built around the Mk 44 Mod 2 30 mm cannon. It uses a FLIR sensor, low-light television camera, and laser rangefinder to provide close-range defense against small, fast surface threats.

20mm GIAT M693 autocannon, French 20 mm autocannon chambered for 20x139mm NATO rounds, Infantry Weapons

Infantry Weapons20mm GIAT M693 autocannonFrench 20 mm autocannon chambered for 20x139mm NATO roundsThe GIAT M693 is a French 20 mm autocannon family developed for vehicle armament and anti-aircraft use, with the navalized 20 mm modèle F2 derivative documented on French Navy minehunters such as the Éridan class. Weaponsystems.net identifies it as a M621-derived delayed-blowback gun with dual-belt feed and 20x139mm NATO ammunition, while NavWeaps traces the navalized 20F2 derivative into French Navy service in 1983 and Weaponsystems ties the GI2 production variant to South African use.

20x110mm Hispano projectiles, 20 mm cannon ammunition, Munitions

Munitions20x110mm Hispano projectiles20 mm cannon ammunition20x110mm Hispano projectiles are 20 mm cannon ammunition associated with the HS.404 and HS 803 / HS 804 family; Yugoimport documents the BVP M-80's 20 mm cannon fit, and Military Factory gives the vehicle a 400-round projectile load.

2A14 23 mm cannon, 23 mm gas-operated autocannon, Air Defense

Air Defense2A14 23 mm cannon23 mm gas-operated autocannonThe 2A14 is the air-cooled 23 x 152B mm autocannon used in ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mounts and improvised single-barrel installations. In the Mali War, investigators documented a 2A14-pattern cannon and related ZU-23-2-pattern weapons with northern rebel forces, where the high-rate gun fit vehicle-mounted fire support and short-range air-defense roles.

Sources

2A72 - Army GuidePublisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the 2A72's manufacturer, design authority, 1995 public debut, ammunition types, muzzle velocity, rate of fire, weight, recoil force, effective range, and documented installations on Russian platforms. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 BTR-82A Armoured Personnel CarrierPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export page identifying the BTR-82A main weapon and supporting the carried-by relationship from the cannon to the vehicle. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Commons BTR-82A 2A72 Autocannon 01Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Commons photograph showing the 2A72 on a BTR-82A. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Commons BTR-82A 2A72 Autocannon 02Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a second Commons photograph showing the 2A72 on a BTR-82A. | Accessed: 2026-06-27