Artillery

MT-12 Rapira

Also known as
  • 2A29
  • T-12A
  • Rapira

The MT-12 Rapira is the Soviet 2A29 modernization of the T-12 family, a 100 mm smoothbore towed anti-tank gun designed in the late 1960s by Viktor Afanasiev at the Yurga plant. Entering service in 1970, its redesigned carriage, MT-LB towing arrangement, 9M117 Kastet guided-round option, and later MT-12R Ruta radar fire-control path kept the legacy gun useful for direct fire, indirect fire, and point anti-armor defense.

MT-12 Rapira, Towed 100 mm smoothbore anti-tank gun, Artillery
Image source: MT-12 100 mm anti-tank gun in Ukrainian service

Role in Conflicts

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Role in conflict
Towed anti-armor artillery

Open-source loss documentation from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh fighting lists Armenian-side 100 mm T-12 and MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns captured by Azerbaijani forces.

2008 Russo-Georgian War
Role in conflict
Towed anti-armor artillery

Open-source loss documentation for the 2008 Russo-Georgian War lists two Georgian 100 mm MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns captured from Georgian forces.

Ammunition and Sighting Suite

Belspetsvneshtechnika describes the MT-12 as a multipurpose gun that can fire guided missiles, shaped-charge rounds, sub-caliber rounds, and high-explosive fragmentation ammunition from direct-fire or covered positions.

CapabilitySource-backed detailSource labels
Guided fire3UBK-10 carries the 9M117 guided missile for armored targets and fortifications.MT-12 Rapira weapon system
Conventional ammunitionUBM1 and UBM2 APFSDS, UBK2 and UBK2M HEAT, and UOF3 HE-FRAG rounds are listed for the MT-12.MT-12 Rapira weapon system
Legacy projectile familyArmy Guide says the 2A29 fires all 2A19 projectile types and also accepts the 9M117 Kastet gun-launched missile fit.2A29 (MT-12) Rapira
Sighting suiteOP4MU-40U is the direct-fire day sight, S71-40 with PG-1M and K-1 is used from covered positions, and APN-6-40 is listed for night firing.MT-12 Rapira weapon system

Source labels: MT-12 Rapira weapon system; 2A29 (MT-12) Rapira

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed 100 mm smoothbore anti-tank gun
Service note
Cold War design, retained in Ukrainian service during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Designer
Viktor Afanasiev
Designed
Late 1960s
Unit cost
Not publicly reported
Produced
1970 onward
Number built
Not publicly reported

Specifications

Caliber
100 mm
Crew
6
Weight
3,100 kg
Barrel length
63 calibres
Length
6,090 mm
Elevation
+20 degrees
Depression
-6 degrees
Traverse arc
54 degrees
Direct shot range
2,200 m
Maximum range
8,200 m
Maximum HE-fragmentation range
12,700 m
Guided missile range
100-4,000 m with 3UBK-10 / 9M117 rounds
Rate of fire
6-14 rounds per minute
Carriage
Towed gun carriage
Transport vehicles
MT-L / MT-LB tracked tractor; MAZ, KamAZ, or Ural trucks
Variants

The MT-12 family is usually described around the baseline 2A29 gun, radar-assisted MT-12R Ruta fire-control fit, and MT-12K / Kastet guided-round configuration.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
MT-12 / 2A29Baseline Rapira gun

The 2A29 MT-12 is the Rapira modernization of the earlier T-12 family, with the standard towed carriage and MT-L / MT-LB transport context used in later service.

Sources: MT-12 100-mm antitank gun, 2A29 (MT-12) Rapira

MT-12R / 2A29R RutaRadar fire-control modernization

Tankograd describes the MT-12R as the 1A31 Ruta radar fire-control modernization, with development ordered in 1975, state trials completed in 1979, and service entry in 1981.

Sources: Tankograd: Soviet Towed Anti-Tank Guns

MT-12K / 2A29K KastetGuided-round configuration

Army Guide and Belspetsvneshtechnika document the MT-12 family's compatibility with 3UBK-10 / 9M117 Kastet guided ammunition for armored targets and fortifications.

Sources: 2A29 (MT-12) Rapira, MT-12 Rapira weapon system

Ammunition Fired

The MT-12 fires a 100 mm ammunition family covering guided missiles, armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles, hollow-charge rounds, and high-explosive fragmentation ammunition.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
MT-12 100 mm ammunition suite, 100 mm fixed ammunition family for MT-12 and T-12 smoothbore anti-tank guns, MunitionsMT-12 100 mm ammunition suite100 mm ammunition family

Belspetsvneshtechnika lists 3UBK-10 / 9M117 guided rounds, UBM1 and UBM2 sub-caliber rounds, UBK2 and UBK2M hollow-charge rounds, and UOF3 high-explosive fragmentation rounds for the MT-12/T-12 gun family.

Sources: MT-12 Rapira weapon system

Sighting Equipment

The MT-12 has separate sighting equipment for daytime direct fire, covered-position fire, and night firing.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
MT-12 sighting suite, Day, indirect-fire, and night sighting equipment set for the MT-12 anti-tank gun, Support EquipmentMT-12 sighting suiteArtillery sighting equipment set

The listed MT-12 sighting equipment includes the OP4MU-40U direct-fire day sight, S71-40 mechanical sight with PG-1M and K-1 for covered positions, and APN-6-40 / 1PN35 for night firing.

Sources: MT-12 Rapira weapon system

Transport Vehicle

The MT-12 is normally moved by an armored tracked transporter that also carries the crew and part of the ammunition load.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
MT-LB, Amphibious tracked armored personnel carrier and artillery tractor, Armored VehiclesMT-LBArmored tracked transporter

Army Guide describes the MT-LB as the Rapira's ordinary transport vehicle and says it carries the crew and part of the ammunition load.

Sources: 2A29 (MT-12) Rapira

Timeline

MT-12 Rapira Key Events

  1. Service entry

    The MT-12 Rapira entered Soviet service in 1970 as a 100 mm towed anti-tank gun.

    Sources: MT-12 100-mm antitank gun

  2. MT-12R Ruta service entry

    The MT-12R radar fire-control modernization entered Soviet service after the Ruta system completed state trials.

    Sources: Tankograd: Soviet Towed Anti-Tank Guns

  3. Captured in the Russo-Georgian War

    Oryx's 2008 war loss list records two Georgian 100 mm MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns captured during the fighting.

    Sources: Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian War

  4. Ukrainian inventory

    Ukraine reported about 500 MT-12 Rapira guns in service.

    Sources: MT-12 100-mm antitank gun

  5. Modernized gun tests

    Ukraine reported testing modernized MT-12 guns with improved guidance and better low-visibility performance.

    Sources: MT-12 100-mm antitank gun

  6. Ammunition testing

    A Ukrainian artillery unit tested Czech-made UOF12 100 mm rounds for MT-12 at the Rivne training ground.

    Sources: MT-12 100-mm antitank gun

  7. Kharkiv frontline use

    RFE/RL documented Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Brigade artillerymen operating Rapira guns in the Kharkiv region.

    Sources: Ukrainian Forces Deploy Soviet-Era Rapira Anti-Tank Guns On Kharkiv Front Line

  8. Russian redeployment from storage

    Defense Express reported Russian forces moving additional MT-12 Rapira guns out of storage, including imagery from occupied Crimea.

    Sources: Russians Deploy Additional MT-12 Rapira Anti-Tank Guns

Media

MT-12 Rapira Videos

MT-12 Rapira Images

MT-12 Rapira, Towed 100 mm smoothbore anti-tank gun, Artillery - view 1
Source: UA 55th artillery brigade training 06
MT-12 Rapira, Towed 100 mm smoothbore anti-tank gun, Artillery - view 2
Source: File:100 mm anti-tank gun MT-12-4618.JPG
Related Weapon Systems
MT-LB with 100 mm MT-12 anti-tank gun, Improvised tracked self-propelled anti-tank gun, ArtilleryArtilleryMT-LB with 100 mm MT-12 anti-tank gunImprovised tracked self-propelled anti-tank gunThe MT-LB with 100 mm MT-12 anti-tank gun, often called MT-LB-12, is a Ukrainian improvised self-propelled gun that places a Soviet MT-12 Rapira towed anti-tank gun on the rear of an MT-LB tracked armored vehicle. Public reporting shows the concept emerging in 2022 with Ukrainian Kraken and Territorial Defense-linked examples, trading the towed gun's normal setup time for a more mobile direct-fire and support-fire platform with limited crew protection.
MT-12 100 mm ammunition suite, 100 mm fixed ammunition family for MT-12 and T-12 smoothbore anti-tank guns, MunitionsMunitionsMT-12 100 mm ammunition suite100 mm fixed ammunition family for MT-12 and T-12 smoothbore anti-tank gunsThe MT-12 100 mm ammunition suite covers fixed rounds documented for the MT-12 and T-12 smoothbore anti-tank guns, from 3UBK-10 / 9M117 guided ammunition to sub-caliber, hollow-charge, and HE-fragmentation rounds. Public conflict evidence is narrow but direct: Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Brigade footage in July 2022 showed Bulgarian-made 100 mm 3UBK2 HEAT-FRAG projectiles being loaded into an MT-12 Rapira.
100 mm KS-19 anti-aircraft gun, Towed 100 mm anti-aircraft gun, Air DefenseAir Defense100 mm KS-19 anti-aircraft gunTowed 100 mm anti-aircraft gunThe KS-19 is a Soviet 100 mm towed anti-aircraft gun designed for high-altitude, radar-directed air defense with fixed ammunition, a powered carriage, and PUAZO/SON-9 fire-control support. U.S. studies tied the gun to North Vietnam's heavy AAA network and Iraqi inventories retained it into the 1990 Gulf War, while later conflict records show legacy KS-19s displayed in Houthi air-defense equipment and repurposed as long-range ground-fire weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine.
MT-LB with Zastava M55 anti-aircraft gun, Tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun conversion, Air DefenseAir DefenseMT-LB with Zastava M55 anti-aircraft gunTracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun conversionThe MT-LB with Zastava M55 anti-aircraft gun was an Armenian/Artsakh field conversion that mounted Yugoslav/Serbian 20 mm triple M55A3 or M55A4 guns on the rear deck of the Soviet MT-LB tracked carrier. In the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, open-source loss records and regional reporting documented these vehicles as short-range air-defense and direct-fire support systems that were destroyed, damaged, or captured by Azerbaijani forces.

Sources

MT-12 100-mm antitank gunPublisher: National Defence University of Ukraine | Note: Supports designer, service background, Ukrainian inventory context, and core specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-202A29 (MT-12) RapiraPublisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the MT-LB transport relationship and the gun-launched 9M117 Kastet background. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Tankograd: Soviet Towed Anti-Tank GunsPublisher: Tankograd | Note: Supports the MT-12R Ruta radar fire-control modernization timeline and variant context. | Accessed: 2026-06-30MT-12 Rapira weapon systemPublisher: Belspetsvneshtechnika | Note: Supports ammunition types, transport vehicle context, and sighting equipment background. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Bulgaria Supplies Shells For Ukraine's 100mm MT-12 Rapira Anti-Tank GunsPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War operational use: used by the Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Brigade, Marine Corps, and National Guard units. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Ukrainian Forces Deploy Soviet-Era Rapira Anti-Tank Guns On Kharkiv Front LinePublisher: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War operational use: RFE/RL met Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Brigade artillerymen using Rapira guns in the Kharkiv region. | Accessed: 2026-06-24The National Guard of Ukraine Got Armed With 100mm MT-12 Rapira GunsPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War operational use: fielded by National Guard artillery crews receiving and training with MT-12 Rapira guns. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russians Deploy Additional MT-12 Rapira Anti-Tank GunsPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War operational use: Russian forces redeployed MT-12 Rapira guns from storage, with likely indirect-fire and anti-tank roles. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Russia uses old MT-12 Rapira 100mm anti-tank gun to destroy modern Ukrainian vehiclesPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War operational use: Russian forces fielding MT-12 Rapira guns for indirect fire and defensive anti-tank positions. | Accessed: 2026-06-20The Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh: Documenting Losses On The Sides Of Armenia And AzerbaijanPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict use: lists Armenian-side 100 mm T-12 and MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns used by Armenia / Artsakh and captured by Azerbaijani forces during the 2020 war. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian WarPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2008 Russo-Georgian War use: lists Georgian 100 mm MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns captured during the war. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Deadly Rapira Guns First Noticed in Yemen Combat ZonePublisher: Rossiyskaya Gazeta | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War use: documents MT-12 Rapira guns fielded in recent Yemen fighting during the civil war. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Powerful Round Destroys Rapira Gun in YemenPublisher: Sputnik Arabic | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War use: reports an MT-12 Rapira gun used by Houthi forces near Hays and destroyed by coalition-aligned forces. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MT-12 100 mm anti-tank gun in Ukrainian servicePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the Ukrainian-service MT-12 photograph, sourced from ArmyInform and licensed CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-20UA 55th artillery brigade training 06Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a CC BY 4.0 photograph showing a Ukrainian 55th Artillery Brigade MT-12R / Ruta training gun. | Accessed: 2026-06-30File:100 mm anti-tank gun MT-12-4618.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a CC BY-SA 3.0 photograph of an MT-12 anti-tank gun in the Technical Museum Togliatti. | Accessed: 2026-06-30