LMT M203 – The Armourers Bench

We have looked at a range of grenade launchers being used in Ukraine including standalone adaptations of GP-25s, the Ukrainian RG-1, the Russian DP-64, and a whole range of launchers that use the NATO standard 40x46mmSR rounds like the LMT M203 and the FN40GL.

In mid-August a new Ukrainian-produced 40mm launcher appeared, the UKROP UGL-40. This isn’t the first Ukrainian manufactured 40mm launcher, the Fort 600 has been in service for over a year and will be the topic for a future article/video of its own.

The UGL-40 is manufactured by UKROP, which is associated with Zbroyar. Intriguingly, in some of the available imagery of the UGL-40, LMT markings are clearly visible on the left side of the weapons receiver. It’s unclear if the launchers are imported from LMT, if they’re simply licensed on the LMT design or if a portion of the parts are manufactured by LMT and assembled by UKROP. While the barrel length and receiver design are very similar to that of the LMT M203 the stand-alone stock design differs. [H/T – CaliFlori for spotting the markings.]

Update – February 2025: Having spoken to LMT representatives at SHOT 2025, it appears that after buying a significant number of LMT’s M203s Ukraine also bought all available components to assemble further launchers in-country. This included tubes, receivers and assorted components. These parts were combined with a chassis developed by UKROP, creating that UGL40.

*LMT markings on a left side of the UGL-40’s receiver (via 12th Special Operations Brigade)*

UKROP are best known for producing the UAR-10 and UAR-15 rifles used by elements of the Ukrainian armed forces. Sources suggest that the UGL-40 has a barrel length of 224mm, shorter than that of the M203 it’s based on, and in the under-barrel configuration it probably weighs around 3lbs (1.36 kg). The launcher is typically seen with a tangent sight attached to the left side of the weapon.

In retrospect and after some digging the earliest possible sighting of a UGL-40 I’ve seen dates from 20 March, in a photograph of a pair of members of Foxtrot Group with carbines equipped with under-barrel grenade launchers. Foxtrot Group, who are believed to be part of Ukraine’s SSO, posted two more photos of a team member equipped with an M4 carbine mounted with a UGL-40.

*UGL-40 in standalone configuration (Western Savages)*

The grenade launchers were next seen in an Instagram post on 5 July, by crab_zol, a member of the 3rd Assault Brigade, which showed him firing a UGL-40 from a trench. The launcher is seen attached to a UAR-15 rifle as an under-barrel grenade launcher.

On the 12 August, a photograph of the UGL-40 in its standalone configuration was shared online. Some sources suggest the image originated with personnel from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade. The UGL-40 and UKROP markings can be clearly seen. The launcher appears to slot onto a rail of a stand-alone adaptor. The adaptor has a collapsing stock and a full length Picatinny top rail. A UGL-40 in the stand-alone configuration also appears in a kit photograph, the source of which I haven’t been able to confirm. It has been painted up and matches the UAR-15 seen below it.

*UGL-40 mounted on a UAR-15 (Rubizh Brigade)*

A week later on 19 August, Western Savages, a Separate Special Purpose Unit with “OMEGA” West, part of the Ukrainian National Guard’s special forces wing, shared a montage video on their new instagram page which included footage of the UGL-40 being fired during training. Speaking to Western Savages they noted that they’d received the UGL-40 a couple of months ago and had previously used the Fort-600. They noted the differences between the two launchers are negligible but the Fort-600 is a little heavier. This may suggest that the UGL-40 with its stock is slightly lighter than the Fort-600’s 2.20kg (4.85lbs). They described the UGL-40 as ‘accurate and reliable’ but have not yet used it on operations.

The 12th Special Operations Brigade “Azov” shared a video on 21 August, which featured a member of the brigade’s reconnaissance detachment discussing his kit. He shows a UAR-15 equipped with a UGL-40 along with a bandolier for carrying 40mm grenades.

Most recently, on the 23 August, photographs of members of the Neptune reconnaissance group were shared with one of the operators pictured holding a rifle equipped with a UGL-40. On the same day the Rubizh Brigade also posted photographs showing personnel equipped with the new grenade launchers attached to UAR-15 rifles. One of the photographs of a soldier, wearing what appears to be a reconnaissance platoon patch, also gives a good look at the launcher’s markings.

It seems that the UGL-40s have so far been issued to a mixture of units including those from both the Ukrainian Army and the National Guard. Unsurprisingly they have only been seen paired with AR-15/M16 pattern rifles and are most typically seen in the under-barrel configuration rather than as a standalone. From confirmed sightings it appears that the UGL-40 has been in service since at least Spring 2024.

Update – 2/10/24:

A photo submitted to Ukrainian military page, Ukrainian_Special_Military of Members of 12th Special Operations Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard operating in the forests of Luhansk region. One individual has a UAR-15 with what is likely a UBL40.

Update – 29/10/25:

A photo of a member of 1st combat group of the special purpose intelligence squad of the 12th Brigade NGU with a nicely painted up standalone UGL-40 and a UAR-15.

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In this series looking at weapons used in Ukraine we’ve looked at a number of different grenade launchers including GP-25s adapted for standalone use, FN FN40GLs, discharger cups for hand grenades and perhaps the rarest grenade launcher seen in Ukraine so far; the standalone Colt M203. Another interesting and fairly rarely seen grenade launcher that began to appear in Ukraine last winter is LMT’s standalone 40mm M203.

LMT offers a series of M203-derived launchers and two standalone stock attachment methods. The Iowa-based company introduced its 40mm grenade launchers in 2003. The launchers seen in Ukraine appear to be the rail mounted version with a 9 inch long barrel.

*An LMT M203 in the field (via Rogue Team)*

The first sighting of an LMT M203 in Ukraine came in November 2023, when Georgian volunteer O.d.i.n.s.o.n., part of the GUR/HUR (Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence)’s Omega Team, posted a photo of one side by side with a standalone GP25. The launchers likely arrived in country a little earlier, speaking to TAB at the time he noted that “the aiming module is a little weird. It has like an M4 forward sight and GL [grenade launcher] distance adjustable rear sight but it’s on top of the weapon. So it doesn’t force you to arc the barrel Like a GP25 does.”

The next appearance of one of the launchers came in late February 2024, when Scorpion Protection Group, another SOF group, shared a photo of a combatant training with one. A third GUR unit, Rogue Team, have also posted images featuring an LMT M203. The first image was shared by a team member on 17 March. This was followed by an image shared on the team’s Instagram page on the 5 April.

*LMT M203 rail mounted version with 9in barrel – right side (LMT)*

On the 14 April, a photo posted by one of the Kraken Regiment’s (also under the GUR) teams also appears to include a standalone LMT M203. Most recently on 16 April, a Spanish member of Omega Team, shared a photo of an LMT M203 with its action open with a round ready to load. On the same day TAB spoke again to Omega Team member O.d.d.i.n.s.o.n. at length about the launchers.

O.d.i.n.s.o.n. explained that the unit switched from rotary 40mm grenade launchers to standalone GP25s and LMT M203 as they are lighter and less bulky than the rotary launchers. He reiterated the difference in the LMT sight from quadrant sights found on other launchers and noted that “instead of a switch or a selector it has a little hook that you pull back and it prevents your finger from going on the trigger.” This is a carry over from the original M203 on which LMT’s launcher is based.

When comparing the GP25 and M203 O.d.i.n.s.o.n. noted that the M203 is light, effective and has a ‘really nice stock’ but he dislikes that the M203’s action has to be opened to reload, unlike the GP25 which when fired “leaves nothing inside the tube and is faster on the reload.” When asked if he’d seen many other units using LMT launchers he explained that “most [International Legion] Special Task Units [affiliated with the GUR] have a couple.”

*An LMT M203 with its action open (Courtesy of Delta Knights)*

We also spoke with Delta Knights, another GUR Specal Task Unit made up of international volunteers, who confirmed they also use LMT M203s and said that they ‘really love it’ but one thing they do wish they had more of is 40mm smoke grenades, adding that the launcher is most often employed with High Explosive (HE) grenades. Delta Knights were kind enough to provide some photos and videos of the M203 in operation at the range.

While the imagery and information available confirms combat use of the LMT M203s in Ukraine it doesn’t give us a solid picture of just how many are in-theatre and other units who may be using them. As always the imagery shared online represents a fraction of what is going on and can only be considered a limited sample. In terms of the origins of the launchers one potential source for the LMT M203s is Estonia which adopted the LMT MARS-L as the R-20 in 2020. Some of the Estonian R-20s have been seen with LMT M203s and given Estonia’s considerable past support for Ukraine it is possible that they may have provided a number of the launchers.

Special thanks to O.D.I.N.S.O.N and Delta Knights for their time and insights and to the guys at Cloooud for additional assistance.

Update – 1/5/24: A recently shared International Legion recruitment social media post included an LMT M203.

Update – 25/7/24:

https://twitter.com/historicfirearm/status/1816564781995712964?t=pTJX3W7_WVFylnBym1-zyQ&s=19

Update – 10/9/24: The ‘Expeditionaries’ Instagram page, seemingly affiliated with an international volunteer team shared a photo of an LMT M203 being jokingly loaded with a deodorant roll-on rather than a 40mm grenade.

Update – 10/01/25: Two additional archival sightings of LMT M203s. The first on the left dates from September 2024. The second, from DC Tactical was shared on 29 October 2024.

Bibliography:

9″ Standalone Rail Mounted M203, LMT, (source)

The LMT M203-2003 Grenade Launcher, Small Arms Defense Journal, (source)

Lmt M203 Grenade Launcher Stand Alone Frame, LMT, (source)

Tag: LMT M203

Ukraine’s Newest Grenade Launcher – UKROP UGL-40

LMT Standalone M203s In Ukraine

Bibliography: