The RPG-7 is a Soviet-origin reusable shoulder-fired rocket launcher built around a simple 40 mm launch tube and a wide family of over-caliber anti-armor, fragmentation, and thermobaric rounds. Its low cost, portability, and large global stock make it a common infantry anti-armor and assault weapon, including documented Ukrainian service, Hamas use in Gaza, ISWAP use in the 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency, and insurgent use in Afghanistan.
Ukrainian forces have fielded RPG-7 launchers and compatible ammunition during Russia's full-scale invasion, including captured Iranian-origin RPG-7s transferred by the United States in April 2024 and RPG-7 launchers donated through Czech STV GROUP support.
Role detailsHamas fighters in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War used standard RPG launchers against tanks, APCs, and buildings in Gaza, and contemporary reporting also described Hamas fighters armed with RPG-7 launchers during the war.
Role detailsHouthi forces fielded RPG-7-compatible Iranian PG-7-AT Nader projectiles during fighting in Yemen; ARES assessed the projectiles as documented in Houthi service and not documented with Saudi-backed forces.
Role detailsConflict Armament Research documented PG-7 40 mm anti-tank rockets recovered from Islamic State forces in Iraq in 2016 and 2017, including around Mahmudiyah, Ramadi, Tal Afar, and Mosul.
ISWAP and Boko Haram-linked fighters in the 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency have fielded RPG-7-pattern launchers and RPG munitions for close-range attacks on Nigerian and regional forces; Jamestown identified RPG-7 launchers and PG-7V projectiles in ISWAP media, while a UN/Lake Chad Basin study lists RPG launchers and rockets among manufactured light weapons used by Boko Haram.
During the 2001 War in Afghanistan, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force describes RPG-7s as common weapons used by enemy forces against convoys, checkpoints, and helicopters during U.S. operations.
Role detailsRPG-7V-series launchers are treated here as one reusable launcher family, while cataloged ammunition is linked separately as fired rounds.
| Designation | Configuration | Source-backed distinction |
|---|---|---|
| RPG-7V | Original Soviet production pattern | Modern Firearms identifies RPG-7V as the first Soviet Army version adopted in 1961. |
| RPG-7V1 | Updated RPG-7V-series launcher | Rosoboronexport lists RPG-7V1 with the 40 mm launcher caliber, PGO-7V3 sight, practical rate-of-fire data, and PG-7/OG-7/TBG-7 ammunition compatibility. |
| RPG-7V2 | Modernized launcher | Rosoboronexport describes RPG-7V2 as a portable reusable anti-tank launcher compatible with PG-7-series anti-tank, TBG-7V thermobaric, and OG-7V fragmentation rounds. |
| RPG-7D | Airborne takedown launcher | Modern Firearms identifies RPG-7D as an airborne version with a two-part takedown barrel for transport or airdrop. |
Public linked records cover representative RPG-7-compatible rounds rather than every national projectile copy.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | HEAT rocket-propelled grenade round | Rosoboronexport's RPG-7V1 data lists PG-7VM among compatible anti-tank rocket rounds for the RPG-7V-series launcher. Sources: RPG-7V1 |
 | Tandem-charge anti-armor projectile | Rosoboronexport's RPG-7V2 data lists PG-7VR among compatible RPG-7V-series anti-tank rounds. Sources: RPG-7V2 |
 | HE-fragmentation RPG ammunition family | Rosoboronexport lists OG-7V fragmentation ammunition within the RPG-7V-series ammunition set, supporting the family-level high-explosive round relationship. Sources: RPG-7V2 |
 | Thermobaric RPG round | Bulcomer lists RTB-7MA thermobaric rounds as compatible with RPG-7V launchers and other 40 mm anti-tank grenade launchers. |
 | Tandem-charge RPG projectile | The Jerusalem Post report identifies Al-Yasin 105 as a PG-7VR-type copy that works with RPG-7 systems. Sources: Palestinian terror factions meet in Damascus, claim they will fight IDF in Rafah - report |
RPG-7 combat use depends heavily on the projectile fitted to the 40 mm launcher tube. Public sources divide the family into older single-charge HEAT rounds, later tandem anti-armor rounds, fragmentation or high-explosive rounds, and thermobaric rounds.
| Round family | Catalog link | Documented role |
|---|---|---|
| Single-charge HEAT | | Representative RPG-7V-compatible anti-tank round listed by launcher and ammunition manufacturers. |
| Tandem-charge HEAT | | Later anti-armor projectile class intended for targets protected by explosive reactive armor. |
| HE-fragmentation | | Fragmentation and high-explosive rounds used when the launcher is employed against personnel, shelters, or positions rather than tanks. |
| Thermobaric | | Bulgarian thermobaric round documented as RPG-7V-compatible for personnel, buildings, shelters, light armored vehicles, and automobiles. |
Modern Firearms identifies RPG-7V as the first Soviet Army version adopted in 1961.
Modern Firearms places the single-warhead PG-7VL round in the 1977 generation of RPG-7 anti-armor ammunition.
Modern Firearms lists PG-7VR tandem HEAT and TBG-7V thermobaric rounds as late-1980s additions to the RPG-7 ammunition family.
U.S. Central Command announced that captured RPG-7s and other weapons were transferred to Ukrainian armed forces for defense against Russia's invasion.
