The 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 has documented the launcher in Donbas attacks, Yemen arms-transfer seizures, and Mexico's 2015 Jalisco helicopter shootdown.
Reported with Russian-backed forces in Donbas: Ukrainian and international reporting documented RPG-27 Tavolga attacks on Ukrainian positions and shell remnants near Stanytsia Luhanska, while noting the launcher was not in Ukrainian army service.
Role detailsA UN Panel of Experts report documented an RPG-27 variant seized in Ma'rib in September 2016, and CSIS summarized the weapon as seized in Ma'rib while in transit to Houthi-Saleh-controlled territory.
Role detailsMilenio's reconstruction of the 1 May 2015 Jalisco helicopter shootdown identified the weapon as an RPG-27 and described the rocket striking the EC725 tail rotor during the attack attributed to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The RPG-27 family keeps the disposable shoulder-launcher format while changing the warhead package for different target sets.
| Designation | Warhead focus | Documented role |
|---|---|---|
| RPG-27 Tavolga | Tandem HEAT shaped charge | Rosoboronexport lists the launcher for tanks, armor-protected vehicles, field fortifications, and personnel in shelters. |
| RShG-1 | Thermobaric assault warhead | Modern Firearms describes it as an RPG-27 derivative that changes the warhead and sights for assault use. |
| RMG | Precursor shaped charge and thermobaric main charge | Modern Firearms describes it as a multipurpose RShG-1 derivative for light armor, walls, field cover, and personnel. |
The RPG-27 tube and sighting layout formed the basis for assault and multipurpose derivatives that changed the warhead effect rather than the one-shot shoulder-launched format.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| RShG-1 | Thermobaric assault grenade derivative | Modern Firearms describes RShG-1 as a derivative of the RPG-27 with a different warhead and sights, retaining the 105 mm shoulder-launched layout. Sources: RShG-1 |
| RMG | Multipurpose assault rocket derivative | Modern Firearms describes RMG as an RShG-1-derived multipurpose rocket weapon with a precursor shaped-charge element and thermobaric main charge for light armor, masonry, field cover, and personnel targets. Sources: RMG |
Weaponsystems.net places RPG-27 development in the late 1980s, with service entry in 1989 and production beginning the same year.
Sources: RPG-27, RPG-27 Tavolga
Milenio identified an RPG-27 as the rocket launcher used in the attack that brought down a Mexican Air Force EC725 helicopter during cartel violence in Jalisco.
Sources: Milenio Jalisco Helicopter Shootdown
A UN panel report and CSIS summary documented an RPG-27 variant seized in Ma'rib Province while in transit to Houthi-Saleh-controlled territory.
Sources: Final Report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen, The Missile War in Yemen
Ukrainian and international reporting documented RPG-27 Tavolga attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas by Russian-backed forces.
Sources: Ukrainian positions in Donbas shelled by deadly Russian RPG-27 Tavolga, Russia is giving this high-tech RPG to separatists in Ukraine, Terrorists shelled Stanytsia Luhanska bridge from powerful Russian grenade launchers
