Infantry Weapons

Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher

Also known as

AGS-40 Balkan
AGS-40
6G27 Balkan
Balkan

The Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, also known as AGS-40, is a Russian tripod-mounted automatic grenade launcher developed by TsKIB SOO and Pribor/Tecmash. Sources describe it as a 40 mm caseless system firing 7P39 grenades from a 20-round drum, with a 2,500 m range and 400 rounds per minute rate of fire.

Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons

Image source: 6S19 40mm grenade launcher.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Russia
Built by: Tecmash ConcernFSUE GNPP Pribor
Type: 40 mm automatic grenade launcher
Service note: 1990s-present
Designer: TsKIB SOO

crew-served belt-fed fire support grenade launcher

Specifications

Caliber: 40 mm caseless
Feed: 20-round drum magazine
Weight: 46 kg combat weight; 32 kg launcher body
Action: Gas piston, open bolt
Rate of fire: 400 rounds per minute
Range: 2,500 m
Ammunition: 7P39 caseless high-explosive grenades
Mounting: Tripod-mounted

Carrier Boats

Army Recognition reported that BK-10M assault boats can be fitted with the Balkan launcher.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

BK-10 / BK-10M / BK-10M1 / BK-10D high-speed assault boats, High-speed assault boat family, Naval Systems

BK-10 / BK-10M / BK-10M1 / BK-10D high-speed assault boats

High-speed assault boat

Army Recognition reported that the BK-10M variant can be fitted with a Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

Sources: BK-10 and BK-16 boats enhance Russia's Black Sea defense against unmanned threats

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Operational evaluation with the Russian military was reported in 2017.
Used by: Russian Armed Forces

Media

Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher Images

Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons - view 1 — Source: AGS-40 grenade launcher - Oboronexpo2014part4-46 (cropped).jpg

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Sources

Russia tests the AGS-40 Balkan 40mm automatic grenade launcher in operational situation TASS 82004172Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the Balkan launcher's operational-evaluation background and the Russian-source technical specifications reported in the article, including weight, feed, range, rate of fire, and service life. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcherPublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Supports the AGS-40 Balkan designation as a Tecmash Concern product presented at IDEX 2019. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AGS-40 Balkan 40mm Automatic Grenade LauncherPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Russian origin, TsKIB SOO development in Tula, and the launcher's role as a replacement for the AGS-17 and AGS-30 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 6S19 40mm grenade launcher.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Balkan launcher photo taken at Milex-2021 in Minsk. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AGS-40 grenade launcher - Oboronexpo2014part4-46 (cropped).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an AGS-40 Balkan photo from Oboronexpo 2014. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 BK-10 and BK-16 boats enhance Russia's Black Sea defense against unmanned threatsPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the BK-10M fit relationship reported by Army Recognition: BK-10M can be fitted with a Balkan 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-27