View source for GP-25

{{redirect|GP-30|the locomotive|EMD GP30}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = GP-25 grenade launcher
| image              = Georgian under barrel grenade launchers stc delta (3).JPG
| image_size         = 300
| origin             = [[Soviet Union]]
| type               = [[Grenade launcher]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1978–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = {{Tree list}}
*[[Afghan conflict]]
**[[Soviet–Afghan War]]
**[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]
*[[Transnistria war]]
*[[First Chechen war]]
*[[Second Chechen War]]
*[[Russo-Georgian War]]
*[[Syrian Civil War]]
*[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
**[[War in Donbas]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaNrWedcBU |title=Ukraine War 1 Hour of Amazing Firefights |website=YouTube |access-date=2017-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018224407/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaNrWedcBU |archive-date=2018-10-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>
**[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
*[[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Yemeni Civil War]]
**[[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]]
***[[Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| designer           = [[TsKIB SOO]]
| design_date        = 1966–1978
| manufacturer       = [[Kalashnikov Concern]]<br />[[STC Delta]]<br />[[Arsenal AD]]<br />[[Zastava Arms]]
| production_date    = 1978–present
| number             = 
| variants           = GP-30, GP-30M, GP-34
<!-- General specifications -->| weight             = {{convert|1.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (GP-25)<br /> {{convert|1.3|kg|abbr=on}} (GP-30)<br /> {{convert|1.4|kg|abbr=on}} (GP-34)<ref name="izhmash">{{cite web|url=http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |title=Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ" |access-date=2012-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728115857/http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-date=2012-07-28 }} |Izhmash GP-34 Specifications</ref>
| length             = {{convert|323|mm|in|abbr=on}} (GP-25)<br /> {{convert|275|mm|abbr=on|1}} (GP-30)<br /> {{convert|315|mm|abbr=on|1}} (GP-34)<ref name="izhmash" />
| width              = 
| part_length        = {{convert|120|mm|abbr=on|1}}
| crew               = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[40 mm grenade|40 mm]] [[internal propellant caseless ammunition]] (CL)
| caliber            = 40 mm
| action             = Closed system, [[single-shot]]
| rate               = 20 rounds/min area suppression<ref name="izhmash" /><br />5–6 rounds/min aimed shots<ref name="izhmash" />
| velocity           = {{convert|76.5|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="izhmash" />
| range              = Sights adjustable 100 to 400 meters<ref name="izhmash" />
| max_range          = 
| feed               = [[Muzzleloader]]
| sights             = Notched quadrant sight
}}

The '''GP-25 ''Kostyor''''' ("Bonfire"), '''GP-30 ''Obuvka''''' ("Shoe") and '''GP-34''' are a family of Russian 40&nbsp;mm under-barrel [[Muzzleloader|muzzleloaded]] [[grenade launcher]]s for the [[Kalashnikov rifle|AK family]] of [[assault rifle]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9jvCwAAQBAJ |title=The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84908-835-0 |series=Weapon 8 |location=Oxford |pages=28 |language=en |oclc=651902408}}</ref> The acronym GP stands for ''Granatomyot Podstvolnyj'',<ref name=":0" /> "under-barrel grenade launcher" in Russian, and was adopted by Soviet forces in 1978.

== Development ==
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 150
| image1            = Ak74gp35.jpg
| image2            = Ak74gp35 (cropped).jpg
| align             = left
| caption_align     = center
| footer            = An [[AK-74]] equipped with an [[airsoft]] replica of the GP-25 grenade launcher.
}}
The development of a grenade launcher for the AKM assault rifle began in 1966 at the Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms ([[TsKIB SOO]]). Development continued into the 1970s, and in 1978 it was accepted into service.<ref name=":0" /> The main production version was known as the '''GP-25''', and could be attached to the AKM and AK-74 assault rifles. The '''GP-30''' was made lighter and the aiming system was redesigned and moved to the right.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |date=October 28, 2010 |title=GP-25 and GP-30 |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/gp-25-i-gp-30-eng/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}}</ref>

GP grenade launchers are similar in appearance and fire the same Russian 40mm caliber ammunition. At the top of the barrel is the mounting hardware to attach the weapon to the underside of a rifle barrel, from which it is designed to fire. The GP barrel has a useful life of about 400 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GP-25 KASTYOR Under-barrel Grenade Launcher |url=http://www.armaco.bg/en/product/under-barrel-grenade-launchers-c9/gp-25-kastyor-under-barrel-grenade-launcher-p99 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Armaco JSC, Bulgaria |language=en}}</ref>

The GP-30 first entered service in 1989,<ref name=":0" /> and is intended for use with the [[AK-100 (rifle family)|AK-100]] series of assault rifles. The GP-30M is a grenade launcher of simplified model, consisting of a shorter 40mm rifled barrel in front of a basic [[Trigger (firearms)|trigger]] mechanism with minimal hand grip.

The current [[Izhmash]]-made version, the '''GP-34''', has a further-redesigned sighting system located to the right side of the weapon and features the following advantages:
* Reliability: It is designed and tested specifically for the Kalashnikov assault rifles, fits such assault rifles directly without any adaptors or [[hand guard]] dismantling.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher GP-34 |url=http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728115857/http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/gp-34.shtml |archive-date=2012-07-28 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Izmash |language=en}}</ref>
* Improved safety: The design prevents a round from moving within or falling out of the barrel, even if the muzzle is pointed down. The GP-34 features an additional mechanism ([[firing pin]] safety lever) to improve safety during loading.<ref name=":1" />

=== Variants ===
<gallery widths="150" heights="100">
File:GP-25 at Tula State Museum of Weapons.jpg|GP-25.
File:GP-30M Interpolitex-2012.jpg|GP-30M.
File:VVday2015 56.jpg|GP-34.
</gallery>

* '''ГП-25''' (''GP-25''), [[GRAU index]]: 6Г15 (''6G15''), nickname «Костёр» (''Kostyor'', "Bonfire")
* '''ГП-30''' (''GP-30''), [[GRAU index]]: 6Г21 (''6G21''), nickname «Обувка» (''Obuvka'', "Shoe")
* '''ГП-34''' (''GP-34''), [[GRAU index]]: 6Г34 (''6G34'')

== Use ==
[[File:45thOBrSpN 17.jpg|thumb|[[Spetsnaz]] with GP grenade launcher under an AKM rifle, [[45th Guards Spetsnaz Brigade|45th Spetsnaz Brigade]].]]

A grenade is first loaded from the muzzle, the weapon is aimed, and then the double-action trigger is pulled to fire. This fires the [[percussion cap]] at the base of the grenade which activates the [[nitrocellulose]] [[propellant]] inside the grenade body.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=GP-25 / GP-30 GL Single-Shot 40mm Muzzle-Loaded Grenade Launcher Specifications and Pictures |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=661 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Military Factory}}</ref> The hot, expanding gas from the propellant is forced through openings in the base of the grenade that move it along the barrel and, at the same time, force the driving band to fit into the twelve grooves of the rifle. The [[rifling]] provides stabilizing rotation to the projectile.<ref name=":2" /> The grenade has a range of up to 400m.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TAB |date=March 5, 2023 |title=Standalone Grenade Launcher |url=https://armourersbench.com/tag/standalone-grenade-launcher/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en}}</ref><gallery>
File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6933 (26939058010).jpg|GP-25 sighting system.
File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6937 (26939053640).jpg|GP-25 seen from the front.
File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6940 (26939054060).jpg|Explanation on the use of the GP-25.
</gallery>

== Ammunition ==
[[File:10th Mountain Division, Afghan National Army, Afghan Border Patrol Service Members Patrol Khas Kunar District DVIDS187644.jpg|thumb|An [[Afghan Army|Afghan National Army]] soldier armed with a GP-25/30 on patrol in [[Kunar Province|Kunar]] province, [[Khas Kunar District|Khas Kunar]] district of [[Afghanistan]], July 1, 2009.]]
GP grenade launchers fire multiple 40mm VOG-25 high-explosive fragmentation grenades, with a total range of 400 meters and an effective range of 150m.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> These Russian-Soviet 40&nbsp;mm grenades are not compatible with Western 40x46mm grenades.<ref name=":0" /> Originally, the main grenade was the VOG-15 (7P17) fragmentation grenade, which has a lethal radius of six meters. Ammunition for the muzzle-loading GP-25 consists of a single piece containing propellant and charge, as opposed to the more traditional two-piece case and projectile design of comparable US [[List of 40 mm grenades|40x46mm]] ammunition used in breech-loading grenade launchers, such as the [[M203 grenade launcher|M203]]. This integral "caseless" design – with the propellant and primer contained in the base of the grenade –  provides for when the grenade is fired nothing is left in the barrel, so the operator can load the next grenade.<ref name=":3" />

A bouncing grenade, the VOG-25P, is also available. On impact, a small charge in the nose of the grenade explodes; this raises the grenade 50cm to 1.5m in the air, before an impact delay [[Fuse (electrical)|fuse]] causes it to detonate.<ref name=":3" /> The VOG-25P also has a lethal radius of six meters. The new generation VOG-M and VOG-PM ammunition, with an increased effectiveness of no less than 1.5 times, are now serially available.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RIA News |date=November 10, 2016 |title=Юрий Набоков: гранатомет "Балкан" могут принять на вооружение в 2017 году |trans-title=Yuri Nabokov: the Balkan grenade launcher may be put into service in 2017 |url=https://ria.ru/20161110/1481076567.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=[[RIA Novosti]] |language=ru}}</ref>
[[File:VOG-25 7P17 - MAKS2015part7-50.jpg|thumb|Internal view of the 40mm VOG-25 (7P17) grenade from the GP-25 grenade launcher.]]
Smoke grenades are also available. The original GRD-40 grenade was replaced by a series of grenades designed for use at different ranges. These are the GRD-50, GRD-100 and GRD-200 intended for use at 50, 100 and 200 meters respectively. They are capable of producing a 20 cubic meter cloud of [[smoke]] that lasts for one minute in [[wind]]s of up to five meters per second. A [[tear gas]] grenade called ''Gvozd'' ("Nail") and a stick grenade are also available.<ref name=":2" />

Today it is used primarily by the [[Russian Armed Forces]] in weapons such as the GP-34, BG-15 Mukha and [[RG-6 grenade launcher|RG-6]]. Several types exist but the most common version is the default VOG-25 high-explosive version<ref name=":35">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2002–2006 |title=Выстрел гранатомётный ВОГ-25|url=http://worldweapon.ru/strelok/vog25.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701163228/http://worldweapon.ru/strelok/vog25.php|archive-date=2007-07-01 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=worldweapon.ru}}</ref> 

=== Ammunition data ===

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Version
!Fuse arming range
!Fuse self-destruction time
!Weight
!Charge
|-
|VOG-25
|10–40 m (33–130&nbsp;ft)
|14–19 s
|250 g (0.55&nbsp;lb)
|48 g of A-IX-1 explosive
|-
|VOG-25P
|10–40 m (33–130&nbsp;ft)
|14–19 s
|278 g (0.61&nbsp;lb)
|37 g of TNT
|-
|GRD-50/100/200
|10–40 m (33–130&nbsp;ft)
|14–19 s
|265 g
|90 g
|}

== Users ==
[[File:GP 25-30 40mm Grenade Launcher on AK-74 Western Group Forces Ranges Zossen-Wuensdorf 1992 (4986660863).jpg|thumb|A group of British officers participating in a Russian field day at the WGF HQ camp in Zossen-Wuensdorf, Germany, 1992. Here Colonel Pugachov, CO 69th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, is preparing a British officer for firing the GP 25/30 grenade launcher mounted on an [[AK-74]].]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
* {{flag|Angola}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Algeria}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=GP-25 Kostyer: 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher |url=https://www.militarytoday.com/firearms/gp_25.htm |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Military Today |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Botswana}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiger |first=Grey |date= |title=World Infantry Weapons: Botswana |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_botswana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203850/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_botswana |archive-date=2016-11-24 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=World Inventory |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}: Made under license by [[Arsenal AD]] as the UBGL<ref>{{cite web |author=Arsenal Corporation |title=Arsenal 40 mm Underbarrel Grenade Launcher UBGL |url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/UBGL.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008143429/http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/UBGL.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Arsenal BG |language=en}}</ref> and the UBGL-1.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arsenal Corporation |title=Arsenal 40 mm Underbarrel Grenade Launcher UBGL-1 |url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/40mm_UBGL-1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030441/http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/40mm_UBGL-1.htm |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Arsenal BG |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Burundi}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vircoulon |first=Thierry |date=October 2, 2015 |title=Insights from the Burundian Crisis (I): An Army Divided and Losing its Way |url=http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521151808/http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |archive-date=2017-05-21 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=International Crisis Group |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Congo-Kinshasa}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Cyprus}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Georgia}}: Made by [[STC Delta]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Chiteishvili |first=Otar |title=40 mm under barrel grenade launcher GP-25 |url=http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/gp-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613192939/http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/gp-25/ |archive-date=2015-06-13 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=[[STC Delta]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ministry of Defense of Georgia |title=Industrial Parade |url=http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?newsid=1404&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107131434/http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?newsid=1404&lang=en |archive-date=2014-01-07 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=[[Ministry of Defense of Georgia]] |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Greece}}: Used for the AK-74M.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|India}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: [[Mobile Brigade Corps]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Bagas |first=Marc |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Guns of Nusantara: The AK-101 and 102 in BRIMOB Service |url=https://conflictfreelance.rs/guns-of-nusantara-the-ak-101-and-102-in-brimob-service/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523074356/https://conflictfreelance.rs/guns-of-nusantara-the-ak-101-and-102-in-brimob-service/ |archive-date=2021-05-23 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Conflict Freelancers |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iran}} : Used by [[IRGC]]
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/granatsvaidziai_ir_priestankiniai_ginklai/povamzdinis_granatsvaidis_gp-25.html|title=Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Granatsvaidžiai ir prieštankiniai ginklai|access-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109115848/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/granatsvaidziai_ir_priestankiniai_ginklai/povamzdinis_granatsvaidis_gp-25.html|archive-date=November 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=US Department of Defense |date=May 1997 |title=North Korea Country Handbook |url=https://nuke.fas.org/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Marine Corps Intelligence Activity |language=en |pages=A-76 (248) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111733/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
* {{flag|Russia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
* {{flag|Serbia}}: Made under license by [[Zastava Arms]] as the PBG – 40&nbsp;mm<ref>{{cite web |author=Zastava Arms |title=Underbarrel grenade launcher PBG-40 mm |url=http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/underbarrel-grenade-launcher-pbg-40-mm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027220013/http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/underbarrel-grenade-launcher-pbg-40-mm |archive-date=2014-10-27 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Zastava Arms |language=en}}</ref> and the PBG 40&nbsp;mm M70.<ref>{{cite web |author=Zastava Arms |title=Underbarrel grenade launcher PBG 40 mm M70 |url=http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/bgp-40-mm-m70 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028205343/http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/militaryproduct/bgp-40-mm-m70 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Zastava Arms |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Macedonia}}
* {{flag|Syria}}: Uses both GP-25s and GP-30Ms.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |date=February 19, 2015 |title=From Russia with Love, Syria's AK-74Ms |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/02/19/from-russia-with-love-syrias-ak-74ms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206004749/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/02/19/from-russia-with-love-syrias-ak-74ms/ |archive-date=2019-02-06 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Oryx |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
* {{flag|Vietnam}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

== See also ==
* [[BS-1 Tishina]]
* [[QLG-10]]
* [[RGM-40|RGM-40 Kastet]] grenade launcher is a stand-alone version of GP-30 grenade launcher
* [[Pallad grenade launcher|Wz. 1974 Pallad grenade launcher]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book
  | last = Koll
  | first = Christian
  | title = Soviet Cannon: A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm
  | publisher = Christian Koll
  | location = Linz, Austria
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=acUoQwAACAAJ
  | page = 397
  | isbn = 978-3-200-01445-9 |year=2009|oclc=424511896|language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9jvCwAAQBAJ |title=The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84908-835-0 |series=Weapon 8 |location=Oxford |language=en |oclc=651902408}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061126183826/http://www.modernfirearms.net/grenade/gl05-e.htm Modern Firearms]
* [http://sovposters.ru//2009/12/21/063701_gp25.jpg Technical data, instructional images and diagrams of the GP-25 {{in lang|ru}}]
* [https://archive.today/20121129062811/http://k-a-r-d-e-n.livejournal.com/5840.html Differences between GP-25, GP-30, GP-30M and GP-34] {{in lang|ru}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmw58EreZj0 How the GP-25 works]

{{Caseless Firearms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gp-25}}
[[Category:Grenade launchers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Grenade launchers of Russia]]
[[Category:Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Kalashnikov Concern products]]
[[Category:TsKIB SOO products]]
[[Category:Underbarrel weapons]]
[[Category:Caseless firearms]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1978]]