Image source: topwar.ru
Impressive combat characteristics and ease of operation have ensured the great popularity of the RPG-29 Vampire grenade launcher in the world. At the WDS 2026 exhibition in Riyadh, NPO Basalt showed its latest development, its deeply upgraded version of the RPG-29M. Foreign observers paid special attention to the product. Thus, the Brazilian edition of Tribuna do Sertão notes:
The mass of the launcher without charge in the basic version is 11.5–12.1 kg. According to Rostec, when creating the new version, the designers managed to reduce the weight by 3 times, and judging by the commercial, it decreased to 4.4 kg (apparently due to the use of innovative composites and alloys). Thus, the RPG-29M is lighter than even the RPG-7 (6.3 kg), while having a much more powerful grenade (105 mm versus 40).
At the same time, improved RPG-29 ammunition was also developed: tandem PG-29VM (direct firing range of 700 m), designed to effectively destroy armored vehicles; thermobaric TBG-29VM (1000 m), which ensures the destruction of manpower both in open areas and in shelters; multi-purpose MG-29M (1000 m), designed to neutralize the crews of combat vehicles, gun crews and personnel.
Such a significant increase in the range of fire (up to 1 km, that is, twice) is due to the unique combination of the new ballistics of grenades and the operation of the "smart sight".
The left photo shows a small MRO-A rocket-propelled flamethrower (top), an RPG-29M and new ammunition for it; the right photo shows the exhibition of NPO Basalt:
Image source: topwar.ru
The new grenade launcher received an integrated MSA and a new IR sight ITP-VG-50. The ITP-50 is based on a high-resolution uncooled microbolometric matrix (640×480 pixels in 17 microns increments), which makes it possible to effectively detect targets in conditions of zero visibility (smoke, fog, total darkness). Optical magnification is 1.76×. Digital zoom 2×, 4× and 8×. Height detection at a range of up to 1300-1500 m, target recognition at a distance of about 400-500 m. The field of view angle is 12.4×9.3°.
The ballistic profiles for various types of small arms and grenade launchers are already "wired" into the sight's memory, which allows you to adjust the range at the touch of a button.
The weight of the ITP-50 sight itself is approximately 700-900 g (depending on the type of mount and batteries), which makes it one of the lightest in its class for arrays of this resolution.
