In recent weeks a yet another type of 40mm grenade launcher has begun to be seen in imagery from the conflict in Ukraine – standalone FN FN40GL grenade launchers. In early June, as Ukraine’s counter-offensive got underway, Ukrainian special operations units began to be seen equipped with FN40GLs in both the standalone (FN40GL-S) and under-barrel grenade launcher configurations.
The FN40GLs which have begun to seen in Ukraine appear to be original Mk1 versions with a slightly different pistol grip assembly profile with a large gap between the grip assembly and the actual barrel assembly. Alongside these launchers in the standalone configuration a number of FN40GLs in the under-barrel configuration have been seen mounted on rifles.
The Mk1 launcher was introduced by FN in the mid-2000s, the stand alone unit mounts the launcher on a frame with rail space and a collapsing stock. When in the under-barrel configuration a different trigger assembly is used which wraps around the rifle’s magazine housing. The FN40GL-S weighs in at 2.9kg while in the under-barrel configuration it weighs between 1.3-1.4kg. The launcher is fully ambidextrous with the barrel able to cant either left or right to facilitate loading.
It’s unclear which country has provided the grenade launchers as a number of countries adopted them, with many special forces units pairing them with FN’s SCAR series of rifles. It is also unclear how many of the launchers are in theatre though from conversations with combatants they are still relatively rare with M320s, M203s, Fort-600s and GP-25s being among the more common single-shot 40mm low velocity launchers. Given the increasing number of them sighted since July it seems the FN40GLs are proliferating through Ukraine’s various special operations units.
The first sighting of an FN40GL came on around 7 June, when a member of AZOV’s SOF unit shared a photograph of an FN40GL-S and a bandolier of 40mm rounds.
On the 8 June a photograph of a member of Ukraine’s SSO was shared online featuring a SCAR-L mounted with an FN40GL. The photograph is also notable for the presence of a SCAR MK20 (article/video on these coming).
On the 12 June, another Ukrainian combatant shared a photograph of an M4A1, an FN40GL and a Glock pistol.
During the early phase of the counter-offensive a Ukrainian SOF team shared a photograph in front of an abandoned Leopard 2 on 15 June, strapped to the plate carrier of one of the operators can be seen an FN40GL-S.
Another photograph taken near the same Leopard 2 surfaced a week later showing another member of Ukrainian SOF with an FN40GL-2.
On the 24 June, a Ukrainian combatant posted a video on TikTok demonstrating the action of a FN40GL-s and how its barrel can pivot left and rifle.
In early July, a member of the AZOV brigade’s SOF teams shared a photograph of an FN40GL-S handing from a sling and retained in place by a cord.
On the 10 July, the second photograph of an FN40GL in the underbarrel configuration was shared showing the launcher mounted on a Springfield Armory SAINT AR-15 pattern rifle
On the 17 July, the same combatant affiliated with AZOV SOF shared a video of the FN40GL-S being fired and reloaded several times during a firefight across a road.
A week or so later, on 29 July, a member of the SSO shared a photograph of a SCAR fitted with a FN40GL.
In early August an Estonian volunteer shared a photo of a black SCAR-L fitted with an FN40GL. He shared his thoughts on the FN launcher and grenade launchers in general. He noted that there’s “not a lot of them around, only special units using these types of weapons… 40mm must be in each squad, they’re very effective.” He went on to explain that he prefers standalone launchers such as the M320.
Most recently another phoptograh of a Ukrainian combatant with a SCAR-L fitted with a FN40GL was shared on Telegram. Both the rifle and launcher have been given a camouflage paint job.
The grenade launchers currently appear to be largely in use with a handful of Ukrainian special operations units which have also seen a recent proliferation of SCAR pattern rifles.
Very special thanks to every who helped collect and collate imagery for this video including, especially my friends at ShriekingDelilah on IG, as well as AbraxasSpa, UkraineWeaponsWarfare and Sergio for their help.
Update – 29/12/23: Another sighting of an FN40 GL, a reportedly Swedish volunteer wearing a Company Group Team shirt.
Update – 2/1/24: More imagery, shared in summer 2023, by Ukrainian SOF of an FN40 GL.
Update – 28/02/24: an FN40GL seen in a collection of weapons reportedly captured by Russian forces from a 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center team.
Update – 6/9/24: Recently shared photo of a member of a GUR team with an FN SCAR-L equipped with an FN40GL.
Update – 10/1/25:
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The Armourers Bench 