View source for Type 69 RPG

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Norinco Type 69 RPG
| image              = File:Type 69 RPG @ PA 122nd Anniversary Caravan.jpg
| caption            = A Type 69 RPG
| type               = [[Anti-tank]], [[anti-personnel]], [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = 
| service            = 1970–present
| wars               = [[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Laotian Civil War]]<br />[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br />[[Mozambican War of Independence]]<br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]]<br />[[Angolan Civil War]]<br />[[Sino-Vietnamese War]]<br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Soviet–Afghan War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br />[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]<br />[[Somali Civil War]]<br />[[War in North-West Pakistan]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Cambodian–Thai border dispute]]<br />[[Kivu conflict]]<ref name='FDLR' /><br />[[Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile]]<br />[[Ethnic violence in South Sudan]]<br />[[Boko Haram insurgency]]<br />[[Syrian Civil War]]<br />[[Tigray War]]<br />[[Myanmar Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Norinco]]
| number             = 
| length             = {{convert|910|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
| action             = 
| sheath_type        = 
| head_type          = 
| haft_type          = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| image_size         = 300
| origin             = China
| is_ranged          = yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_artillery       = 
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
| design_date        = 1970
| manufacturer       = [[Norinco]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1970–present
| variants           = Type 69-I
<!-- General specifications -->| weight             = {{convert|5.6|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = 
| crew               = 1 or 2, depending on situation
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = 
| caliber            = 40 mm (1.57") barrel<br />85mm warhead
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 200 m (656 ft)
| max_range          = 600 m (1,968 ft)
| feed               = one round per shot
| sights             = Iron sights. Infrared and night vision sights possible
<!-- Artillery specifications -->| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
| blade_type         = 
| hilt_type          = 
| filling            = 
| filling_weight     = 
| detonation         = 
| yield              = <!-- Vehicle specifications -->
| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = 
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| suspension         = 
| speed              = 
}}

The '''Type 69 85mm  RPG''' ({{zh|c='''69式40毫米火箭筒'''}}), made by [[Norinco]], is a Chinese variant of the Soviet [[RPG-7]]. First introduced in 1972,{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=36}} the Type 69 is a common individual anti-tank weapon in service with the [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]]. More advanced [[Rocket-propelled grenade|grenade]] rounds were developed in the 1980s and 1990s to meet the requirements of modern battlefields. Eventually, the aging Type 69 RPG family was replaced by more modern anti-tank weapon systems developed by China such as the [[PF-89|Type 89]] and [[DZJ-08|Type 08]].

==Origin==
===History===
China first obtained the [[RPG-2]] 85mm anti-tank RPG in the early 1950s, and began to build domestic copies in 1956 under the designation Type 56.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}} However, the rapid development of the new generation [[main battle tank]]s (MBTs) in the early 1960s posed new threats to the PLA, which was later proven in the 1969 [[Sino-Soviet border conflict]]. Because the Type 56 was unable to penetrate the armour of the new generation Soviet tanks such as the [[T-62]], the PLA desperately needed a new individual anti-tank weapon to replace the aging Type 56.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=36}}

[[Reverse-engineering]] of the RPG-7 began in the early 1960s, and demonstrations were made to senior PLA officials in 1964. The Chinese copy of the RPG-7, designated Type 69, received its design certificate in 1970. The weapon entered service with the PLA in the mid-1970s, and took part in the [[Sino-Vietnamese War|1979 Sino-Vietnam border conflict]] to provide platoon-level anti-personnel and anti-obstacle fire support. Its performance was highly praised by the troops.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=36}}

As well as being equipped by the PLA, the Type 69 has also been exported in significant numbers to many foreign customers, including the [[Mujahideen]] in Afghanistan under the covert co-operations between China and the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] in the 1980s against the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=64}}

===Status===
The production of the Type 69 RPG stopped in the mid-1980s when an advanced version, Type 69-I was introduced by Norinco. As the weapon became less effective in modern land battlefield, the Type 69 RPG is being gradually replaced by the [[PF-89]] 80mm anti-tank grenade launcher.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=37}}

==Ammunition==
[[File:Afghan National Police officer fires an RPG round at a special mission conducted by US Army.jpg|thumb|250px|Afghan National Police officer fires a Type 69 RPG round at a special mission conducted by [[United States Army|U.S. Army]].]]

Although the design of the grenade launcher has not changed significantly since it was introduced in the 1970s, many new types of grenade rounds have been developed over the years to provide enhanced capabilities, including:<ref>[http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type69rpg.asp Type 69 Grenade Variants] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610123905/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type69rpg.asp |date=2007-06-10 }} Retrieved on March 18, 2007.</ref>

'''Type 69 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT)''': basic grenade introduced in the PLA during the 1970s with the Type 69. Phased out of PLA service.

'''Type 69-I hollow charge high-explosive anti-tank''': standard HEAT grenade developed for the PLA in the 1980s. The hollow warhead was created with improved armour-piercing capabilities.

'''Type 69-II HEAT''': the same as the Type 69-I HEAT grenade, except that it is improved to defeat modern armoured vehicles that are equipped with anti-tank missile plating.

'''Type 69-III HEAT''': the same as the Type 69-II, increased range and further improved armour-piercing abilities.

'''Type 84 HEAT''': made in the 1980s as a lighter warhead with the ability to be fired from long range with claims that the rocket is not affected by side winds. Usable with both Type 69 and 69-I rocket launchers.

'''Type 69 75mm airburst anti-personnel high-explosive (HE)''': created for anti-personnel purposes. This is mostly meant to combat against entrenched forces since the rocket, after gaining impact on the ground, bounces to a height of around 2m then airbursts over the target area, scattering about 800 anti-personnel steel balls over a lethal radius of 15m.

'''HE/HEAT''': used for anti-armour and anti-personnel combat. Even though it has 1,500 prefabricated fragments which scatter over a 20m radius on detonation, the rocket retains its anti-tank capabilities.

'''Anti-personnel high-explosive incendiary (HEI)''': created for use in certain environments such as jungles and mountains, it has 900 steel balls and 2,000 to 3,000 incendiary pellets that scatter over a 15m radius on detonation.

'''Tandem-warhead anti-tank grenade''': thought to have been used in the 1990s, it is meant to penetrate vehicles with [[Reactive armour|explosive reactive armor]]. Even though it can not defeat most modern vehicles, lighter vehicles such as APCs and AFVs can be destroyed with this rocket.

'''Illumination grenade''': equipped with a small parachute to suspend it in mid air while being used, its effective range is 600m with the braking ring and 1,500m without it.

==Operators==
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2010}}
[[File:Type 69 RPG operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with Type 69 RPG operators in blue]]
<!--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|Afghanistan}}{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=64}}
* {{flag|Albania}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Algeria}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}<ref name='SAS 2011 1'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2011.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711032608/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2011.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2011|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2011/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2011-Chapter-01-EN.pdf|chapter=Larger but Less Known: Authorized Light Weapons Transfers|title=Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2011|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=29}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bolivia}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Burkina Faso}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Burundi}}<ref>{{cite web|agency=Reuters |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/united-nations-burundi-violence/3201333.html |title=UN Under Pressure to Show It Can Help End Burundi Violence |publisher=VOA News |date=2016-02-22 |access-date=2017-06-25}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cambodia}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Chile}}: Type 69s were used by the Chilean army in 1978, not in current use.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
* {{CAF}}<ref>{{cite book|title=The Central African Republic and Small Arms: A Regional Tinderbox|first1=Eric G.|last1= Berman |first2=Louisa N. |last2=Lombard|date= December 2008|publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]]|isbn=978-2-8288-0103-8|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/D-Book-series/book-07-CAR/SAS-Central-African-Republic-and-Small-Arms.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802224632/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/D-Book-series/book-07-CAR/SAS-Central-African-Republic-and-Small-Arms.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2014|pages=82, 94}}</ref>
* {{flag|China}} 
** [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2019/06/02/every-chinese-infantry-platoon-have-this-recoilless-rocket-launcher/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923114738/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2019/06/02/every-chinese-infantry-platoon-have-this-recoilless-rocket-launcher/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 23, 2020|title = Every Chinese Infantry Platoon Have This Recoilless Rocket Launcher|date = 2 June 2019}}</ref>
** [[People's Armed Police]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=高清：武警携火箭筒在滇南山地作战 披草叶伪装--军事--人民网 |url=http://military.people.com.cn/n/2014/0923/c1011-25717589.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=military.people.com.cn}}</ref>
* {{flag|Congo-Kinshasa}}{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
:*{{flagicon image|Flagge FDLR.svg}} [[Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda]]<ref name='FDLR'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701142546/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-07-EN.pdf|chapter=Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA|title=Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2015|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2015}}|page=202}}</ref>
* {{flag|Eritrea}}<ref name="Blue Nile">{{cite book|title=Arms and ammunition captured from SAF in Blue Nile|url=http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/arms-ammunition-tracing-desk/HSBA-Tracing-Desk-SAF-in-Blue-Nile.pdf|series=Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA)|publisher=Small Arms Survey|date=November 2011}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}
**{{flagicon image|Flag of the Tigray People's Liberation Front.svg}}[[Tigray Defense Forces]]
**{{flagicon image|Flag of the Oromo Liberation Front.svg}}[[Oromo Liberation Army]]
* {{flag|Estonia}}: Type 69s are old stocks remaining, not in current use<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=m69|title=Tehnika - Granaadiheitja M-69 |website= Eesti Kaitsevägi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303000618/http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=m69|archive-date=3 March 2008|language=et}}</ref>
* {{flag|Georgia}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Ghana}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Iran}}{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=38}}
* {{flag|Iraq}}{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=38}}
* {{flag|Laos}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Lebanon}}
** [[File:Flag of the Lebanese Communist Party.svg|22px|border]] [[Lebanese Communist Party]]/[[Popular Guard]]{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
* {{flagicon|Libya}} [[Libyan National Army]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Tracking Arms Transfers By The UAE, Russia, Jordan And Egypt To The Libyan National Army Since 2014 |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/06/types-of-arms-and-equipment-supplied-to.html |website=Oryx Blog |date=23 March 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Malta}}: [[Armed Forces of Malta]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Personnel reveal shortcomings inside Maltese armed forces|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/88089/personnel_reveal_shortcomings_inside_maltese_armed_forces|newspaper=[[Malta Today]]|date=14 July 2018 |first=Matthew |last=Agius }}</ref>
* {{flag|Morocco}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Mozambique}}: supplied to [[FRELIMO]] during the [[Mozambican War of Independence|Independence War]]<ref name=angmos>{{cite book|last=Abbott |first=Peter |title=Modern African Wars (2): Angola and Mozambique 1961–1974 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |location=[[Oxford]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-85045-843-5 |page=15 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Myanmar}}{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
**{{flagicon image|Flag of PDF Myanmar.svg}} [[People's Defence Force (Myanmar)|People's Defense Force]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Anthony |title=Myanmar PDFs getting the guns to turn the war |url=https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/myanmar-pdfs-getting-the-guns-to-turn-the-war/ |access-date=14 October 2024 |work=Asia Times |date=19 May 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Niger}}<ref name='Tessieres'>{{Cite report|language=en|title=At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger|author=Savannah de Tessières|isbn=978-2-940548-48-4|publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]]|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-SANA-Report-Niger.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184751/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-SANA-Report-Niger.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2018|date=January 2018|page=24}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Ogaden National Liberation Front(2).svg}} [[Ogaden National Liberation Front]]<ref name="Blue Nile"/>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: used by the [[Pakistan Army]] and Paramilitary forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Burst Anti Personnel Rocket Calibre 40 mm RGP-7AP|url=http://www.pof.gov.pk/ROC_AirBurstCalibre40mmRPG7AP.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824192202/http://pof.gov.pk/ROC_AirBurstCalibre40mmRPG7AP.aspx|archive-date=2013-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=40 MM Heat P1 MK1 (RPG-7P) |url=http://www.pof.gov.pk/ROC_40MMHEATP1MK1RPG79.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121208083012/http://www.pof.gov.pk/ROC_40MMHEATP1MK1RPG79.aspx |archive-date=2012-12-08 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Philippines}}: 60 Type 69s provided as of October 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3031629/why-dont-manila-and-beijing-have-closer-military-ties-despite | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005095621/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3031629/why-dont-manila-and-beijing-have-closer-military-ties-despite | archive-date=2019-10-05 | title=Why don't Manila and Beijing have closer military ties, after Duterte's China pivot? | date=5 October 2019 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Rwanda}}: Used by Rwandan peacekeepers in Darfur.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Sierra Leone}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|Somalia}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Neville |first1=Leigh |title=Day of the Rangers: The Battle of Mogadishu 25 Years On |date=20 September 2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-2427-1 |page=280 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ThpDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>
** {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Jihad.svg}} [[Hizbul Islam]]{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=36}}
* {{flag|South Sudan}}: [[South Sudan Democratic Movement]]<ref name ='SAS 2014 chapter 7'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2014/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2014-Highlights-EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805164422/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2014/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2014-Highlights-EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2014|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2014/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2014-Chapter-7-EN.pdf|chapter=Weapons tracing in Sudan and South Sudan|title=Small Arms Survey 2014: Women and guns|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2014|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=227}}</ref>
* {{flag|Soviet Union}}: [[Spetsnaz]] were equipped with captured Type 69s in Afghanistan{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=64}}
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mehta |first1=Raj K. |title=Lost Victory: The Rise & Fall of LTTE Supremo, V. Prabhakaran |date=2010 |publisher=Pentagon Press |isbn=978-81-8274-443-1 |pages=107−110 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WyRZKMxTPXsC |access-date=20 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sudan}}<ref name="Blue Nile"/>
* {{flag|Thailand}}: used in small numbers by [[Thahan Phran]]{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Uganda}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Ukraine}}: Reportedly used by Ukrainian troops since 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://armourersbench.com/2024/06/16/chinese-type-69-rpgs-in-ukraine/ | title=Chinese Type 69 RPGS in Ukraine | date=16 June 2024 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: Used by the [[People's Army of Vietnam|NVA]] and [[Viet Cong]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lanning |first1=Michael Lee |last2=Cragg |first2=Dan |title=Inside the VC and the NVA: The Real Story of North Vietnam's Armed Forces |date=23 July 2008 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |isbn=978-1-60344-059-2 |pages=108, 272 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwJKDwAAQBAJ |access-date=20 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Zimbabwe}}<ref name="Keegan">{{Cite book|title=World Armies |edition=Second |last=Keegan |first=John |publisher=Palgrave-Macmillan |location=Basingstoke |date=1983 |isbn=978-0333340790 |page=488}}</ref><ref name=Solomon>{{cite book|last=Hussein|first=Solomon|title=Towards a Common Defence and Security Policy in the Southern African Development Community|date=1988|pages=109–111|publisher=Africa Institute of South Africa|location=Pretoria|isbn=978-0798301749}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Yasin (RPG)|Yasin]] - RPG developed by [[Hamas]].
* [[Bazalt]] – Russian manufacturer of the RPG-7 & RPG-29.
* [[PSRL-1]]
* [[PF-89]] and [[DZJ-08]] next generation man-portable rocket launcher and recoilless gun developed by China, succeeding Type 69.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book|title=The Rocket Propelled Grenade|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|series=Weapon 2|first=Gordon L.|last=Rottman|year=2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NDa1CwAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1-84908-153-5}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Type 69 RPG}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070519003705/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type69launcher.asp Sino Defence's Type 69]
{{Norinco|state=expanded}}{{Russian RPG series}}


[[Category:Cold War weapons of China]]
[[Category:China–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Norinco]]