- Side
- Ukraine
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence codified and adopted the domestically made AGL-53 for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in March 2025, describing tripod, combat-vehicle, and light-transport mounting options.
Role detailsInfantry Weapons
AGL-53 automatic grenade launcher
Also known as
- AGL-53
- AGL 53
- AGL53
- 40 mm AGL-53
- AGL-53 40 mm grenade launcher
The AGL-53 is a Ukrainian 40 mm automatic grenade launcher codified by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine in 2025 for Armed Forces use. It fires NATO-standard 40x53 mm ammunition and is documented for tripod, combat-vehicle, light-transport, remote-turret, and ground-robot integration.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Ukraine
- Built by
- Ukrainian weapon manufacturers
- Type
- 40 mm automatic grenade launcher
- Service note
- 2020s-present
- Designed
- 2020s
- Produced
- 2025-present
- Number built
- Not publicly disclosed
Specifications
- Caliber
- 40 x 53 mm
- Ammunition
- NATO-standard unitary 40 x 53 mm automatic-grenade-launcher rounds
- Mounting
- Combat vehicles, light all-terrain transport, or a special tripod
- Remote integration
- Frontline Robotics and DevDroid sources list AGL-53 compatibility with remote turret or electric-trigger systems
- Compared system
- Ukrainian MoD described AGL-53 as more accurate and longer-ranged than the Soviet-era AGS-17 30 mm launcher
- Role
- Crew-served and vehicle-mounted grenade-launcher fire support
Remote Weapon Stations And Ground Robots
Public Ukrainian sources link AGL-53 to remote firing systems rather than only tripod or vehicle pintle use.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Remote weapon station | Defender Media reported that Frontline Robotics' Buria 2.0 turret can accept Mk 19, RDS40, or AGL-53 grenade launchers and uses electric trigger systems for remote fire control. Sources: Defender Media Buria 2.0 report |
 | Ground robotic complex | DevDroid's Droid NW 40 line documents a 40 mm grenade-launcher ground robot built around the Wolly 40 combat module and related AGL-53 / Mk-19 launcher integration. Sources: DevDroid Droid NW 40 catalog page, DevDroid Droid NW 40 NATO code |
Remote Firing Components
DevDroid lists AGL-53 among the launchers compatible with its remote-firing electric trigger.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Electric trigger | DevDroid lists AGL-53 as compatible with the electric trigger used for remote firing of 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. |
Mounting And Integration Notes
The strongest public sources describe AGL-53 as a launcher intended for both conventional and remote mounting paths.
| Integration path | Source-backed detail | Reader context |
|---|---|---|
| Tripod infantry use | Ukraine's MoD says a special tripod lets AGL-53 serve as a group infantry weapon. | This keeps the launcher usable outside a vehicle mount. |
| Vehicle or light transport | The MoD lists combat vehicles and light all-terrain transport as mounting options. | That places AGL-53 in the same tactical lane as other crew-served automatic grenade launchers. |
| Remote turret | Defender Media reports Buria 2.0 compatibility with Mk 19, RDS40, and AGL-53 launchers. | Remote operation can separate the operator from the firing position. |
| Ground robot | DevDroid sources place 40 mm grenade launchers in the Droid NW 40 / Wolly 40 integration line. | The launcher is part of Ukraine's broader remote fire-support ecosystem. |
Timeline
AGL-53 automatic grenade launcher Key Events
MoD announces AGL-53 codification
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said the Ukrainian-made AGL-53 had been codified and adopted for Armed Forces use, with 40x53 mm NATO-standard ammunition and vehicle, light-transport, or tripod mounting.
Sources: MoD article on AGL-53 codification
Buria 2.0 compatibility reported
Defender Media reported Frontline Robotics' Buria 2.0 turret as compatible with Mk 19, RDS40, and AGL-53 grenade launchers, using electric triggers for remote fire control.
Sources: Defender Media Buria 2.0 report
Droid NW 40 codification links AGL-53 to ground robots
DevDroid announced NATO-code codification for Droid NW 40, a grenade-launcher ground robot in the same integration lane as the AGL-53 and Mk-19 launcher options.
Sources: DevDroid Droid NW 40 NATO code
Media
AGL-53 automatic grenade launcher Videos
AGL-53 automatic grenade launcher Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
MoD article on AGL-53 codificationPublisher: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War use by documenting that Ukraine codified and adopted the AGL-53 for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and supports identity, origin, 40x53 mm ammunition, mounting options, AGS-17 comparison, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Defender Media Buria 2.0 reportPublisher: Defender Media | Note: Supports AGL-53 compatibility with the Buria 2.0 remote turret, the turret's electric trigger systems, mortar-style grenade-launcher firing mode, and the embedded Frontline Robotics video selected as integration context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DevDroid electric trigger product pagePublisher: DevDroid | Note: Supports AGL-53 compatibility with DevDroid's remote-firing electric trigger for 40 mm grenade launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DevDroid Droid NW 40 catalog pagePublisher: DevDroid | Note: Supports the Droid NW 40 ground-robot relationship and DevDroid's Wolly 40 combat-module context for 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DevDroid Droid NW 40 NATO codePublisher: DevDroid | Note: Supports the April 2026 Droid NW 40 codification timeline and the relationship between the AGL-53 launcher option and a codified Ukrainian grenade-launcher ground robot. | Accessed: 2026-06-29