M79 Osa

Conflict Usage

War against the Islamic State

Side: Islamic StateRole: Shoulder-fired anti-armor and fortification attackanti-tankstrike

Conflict Armament Research documented M79 Osa 90 mm HEAT rockets captured from Islamic State forces by the YPG near Ras al-Ayn, Syria, in 2014, indicating Islamic State fielding of the weapon during the wider anti-ISIS campaign.

War in Iraq (2013-2017)

Side: Islamic StateRole: Light anti-armor defenseanti-tankstrike

CTC Sentinel described M79 Osa launchers among light anti-tank weapons reaching Iraq for Islamic State use, supporting a narrow Iraq-specific fielding claim rather than a confirmed individual firing incident.

M79 Osa Images

Related Weapon Systems

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Infantry WeaponsRPG-22Disposable shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcherThe RPG-22 Netto is a Soviet disposable anti-tank rocket launcher developed as a larger-caliber successor to the RPG-18, firing a 72.5 mm PG-22 HEAT rocket from a telescoping fiberglass launch tube. Its light single-shot format made it a common short-range infantry anti-armor weapon in Soviet and post-Soviet stocks, and ARES documented an RPG-22 among weapons seized from alleged Russian saboteurs during the opening days of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Infantry WeaponsRPG-26Disposable anti-tank rocket launcherThe RPG-26 is a Soviet-designed disposable 72.5 mm anti-tank rocket launcher built around a single HEAT rocket in a sealed launch tube. Its low carried weight, simple pre-fire procedure, and short-range armor and fortification defeat role made it a common infantry anti-armor weapon, with documented circulation in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Infantry Weapons9M133 KornetLaser beam-riding anti-tank guided missile systemThe 9M133 Kornet is a Russian heavy anti-tank guided missile system using laser beam-riding guidance and tandem HEAT or thermobaric warheads. Developed by KBP as a portable and vehicle-integrated ATGM family, it appears in recent conflicts as a Russian-origin anti-armor weapon documented with state forces and non-state armed groups, including captured examples in Ukrainian service.

Infantry WeaponsBGM-71 TOWHeavy anti-tank guided missileThe BGM-71 TOW is a U.S. heavy anti-tank guided missile built around tube launch, optical tracking, and command guidance through a wire or later radio-frequency link. Developed by Hughes and now produced and upgraded by Raytheon, it can be fired from dismounted launchers, HMMWVs, Bradley and Stryker vehicles, light armored vehicles, and helicopters, giving infantry and vehicle crews a long-range precision anti-armor weapon. In the Russia-Ukraine War, U.S. security assistance packages sent TOW missiles to Ukraine as part of the anti-armor mix used to offset Russian armored forces.

Infantry WeaponsRPG-27 TavolgaDisposable anti-tank rocket launcherThe RPG-27 Tavolga is a Soviet/Russian disposable 105 mm anti-tank rocket launcher built around a tandem HEAT warhead for defeating ERA-protected armor and field fortifications. It is heavier than earlier RPG-26-class disposable launchers but remains portable by one soldier, and open reporting documented its use by Russian-backed forces against Ukrainian positions in Donbas during the Russia-Ukraine War.

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