On 6 November, the French arms manufacturer Verney-Carron, through its defence brand Lebel, announced the signing of a framework contract with Ukrspecexport, a Ukrainian state-owned arms trading company which is part of Ukroboronprom. The contract covers the production of a substantial number of small arms including carbines, precision rifles and 40mm grenade launchers.
VDC15 (Lebel)
The contract is worth 36 million Euros ($38.5 million) and includes 10,000 assault rifles, 2,000 precision rifles and 400 grenade launchers. The contract will need to be funded from Ukrainian and French sources with initial delivery scheduled for early 2024, with delivery to be spread over the next 10 months. The announcement makes no mention of spare parts or support as part of the contract.
The contract will likely see the delivery of Verney-Carron’s VCD15, an AR-15 pattern rifle available in various configurations but chambered in 5.56x45mm or .300 BLK and based on Stoner’s internal gas system. The 2,000 precision rifles are probably Lebel’s VCD10, which was introduced in 2018 and is a precision AR-10 pattern rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm or .260 Remington. The 400 grenade launchers will likely be the compact LP40, a 40x46mm standalone launcher, which weighs 1.3kg, has a removable stock and a folding front pistol grip.
LP40 (Lebel)
It’s unclear which branch of the Ukrainian Armed forces the small arms will be destined for but they represent a substantial number, enough to equip a brigade or two. In terms of aid France has already provided a wide range of weapon systems and military equipment including self-propelled artillery, armoured personnel carriers, mines, anti-tank guided missiles, small arms, hand grenades and air defence systems.
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On 2 October, Ukraine’s 28th Mechanised Brigade posted a video on their social media showing an RPG team firing an RPG-7 during a firefight. The warheads being fired from the RPG-7 were all outfitted with homemade fragmentation sleeves.
A fragmentation sleeve fits over a warhead and breaks apart when the warhead detonates. The explosion spreads the fragments increasing the warheads anti-personnel effect. The sleeve seen in the video appears to be made from a sheet of rolled metal with a base ring. Their design and construction appears to be quite uniform and similar examples of the fragmentation sleeves have been seen on several earlier occasions. The sheet appears to be several millimetres thick with a grid of cuts creating weaknesses for along which the metal can fragment.
PG-7 warheads with uniform fragmentation sleeves, in a video posted by the 28th Mechanised Brigade (Ukrainian Army)
Back in April a photograph featuring similar sleeves was shared, one PG-7 warhead has a sleeve running between the venturi/rocket nozzles and the base of warhead’s shaped charge while the other appears to have a sleeve which is wrapped around the lower part of the warhead. The venturi of this warhead isn’t visible.
[Correction/Update – 11/11/23: The rocket is in fact a PG-9/16 which is fired from SPG-9 recoilless guns. This suggests that fragmentation sleeves are also in use with the widely used SPG-9. See image below. – Thank you to Michael Crenshaw for his help IDing this munition.]
Top: PG-9/16 with frag sleeve Bottom: PG-7 with frag sleeve (via social media)
A Ukrainian combatant shared a short video featuring a PG-7 warhead with a fragmentation sleeve on 4 May. On 21 June, Ukrainian news outlet Новинарняpublished a video report featuring the 67th Mechanised Brigade in action near Kreminna. Members of the brigade’s 2nd mechanised battalion are seen with numerous PG-7s with fragmentation sleeves in the report. One Ukrainian combatant is seen preparing them for launch, attaching boosters to the rockets.
It would appear that the design of the sleeves has been shared between a number of fabricators as they have appeared in a number of areas and appear to a fairly standardised design. Images from the summer of 2023 show the sleeves added to a variety of different PG-7 warheads including a crate of six PG-7VLs.
A number of PG-7V with frag sleeves (via social media)
In August, a Ukrainian individual made a call on social media for fabricators to produce base rings for sleeves. The post included a photograph of six PG-7M warheads with fragmentation sleeves.
The October video posted by the 28th Mechanised Brigade shows the rockets being fired at unseen targets in the distance. The RPG-gunner appears to be using the tactic of using the warhead’s maximum range self-destruct feature to detonate the warheads above Russian positions.
The warheads are fitted point-initiating base detonating fuzes which contain a pyrotechnic-based self-destruct mechanism which causes the warhead to detonate at its maximum range of approximately 950 metres. When the warhead detonates at the end of its flight it will shower what is below it with fragments from both the warhead and the fragmentation sleeve.
A crate of 6 PG-7VLs with slightly rusty frag sleeves (via social media)
On 30 September, a PG-7 with a fragmentation sleeve was seen at the beginning of a video shared by the ‘Omega’, the Special Purpose Center of Ukraine’s National Guard. The characteristic shape of a sleved warhead can be seen just before a member of ‘Omega’ fired the RPG-7.
On 4 October, a Ukrainian combatant shared a photograph of a PG-7VL warhead with a fragmentation sleeve. The photo was shared in response to the earlier August photograph. This example, however, appears to be made from a mosaic of small metal squares rather than from a scored sheet of metal.
An RPG-7 with a fragmentation sleeve, 67th Mechanised Brigade (Новинарня)
In terms of effectiveness the sleeves probably do not fragment uniformly along the cuts in the outer surface. However, the fragmentation effect of the sleeve is probably good enough for it’s intended purpose. It also remains unclear if the added mass and likely shifting of the warheads’ centre of gravity negatively effects its range and accuracy.
Fragmentation sleeves are definitely not a new innovation but they are a simple adaptation which can be made to PG-7 pattern warheads, which are predominantly designed for anti-armour roles, to improve their effectiveness against enemy personnel. While there are a number of warheads designed specifically for use against personnel these may not be as commonly available and as a result the Ukrainians have taken to improvising. We have already seen makeshift anti-personnel warheads made from fire extinguishers packed with explosive and the practice of simply taping shrapnel to the sides of standard PG-7 warheads.
06/11/23 – Update: An additional video featuring a PG-7VL warhead with a frag sleeve being used to tamp down a sandbag.
Update – 14/12/23: A video showing manufacture of various patterns of drone munitions was shown in a video posted by Ukrainian combatants. In it a munition with frag sleeve is seen.
Update – 15/1/24: Video dating from Spring 2023 shows members of the 28th Mechanised Brigade operating what appears to be a fragmentation sleeve (or perhaps an improvised warhead) being fired from m RPG-7.
Kurt & Company Group, a unit of #Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade, firing what appear to be either improvised RPG rounds or PG-7 rounds which have been augmented with fragmentation sleeves.
— Matthew Moss | The Armourer's Bench (@historicfirearm) January 16, 2024
Update – 25/03/24: A look at how some of the frag sleeves may be manufactured.
Steel pipe is machined into grooved fragmentation jackets. These will be fitted over RPG-7 warheads. The segmented squares will separate into deadly pieces upon detonation, increasing the destructiveness of the rocket. pic.twitter.com/nLPQOjkPLL
The sleeves seen in the post above were sold by a company called ‘FixeStop‘ and are euphemistically marketed as ‘Men’s metal massage rollers: – for feet; – for legs’. Various sises between 100mm and 200mm of various weights are offered at prices ranging between 300 to 950 UAH.
Update – 16/7/24: An improvised drone dropped munition with a 3D printed tail tube and cone with a frag sleeve.
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In June we looked at MT-LB adaptations which have been pressed into service by both sides. Check out that video/article here. In recent weeks there have been more sightings of some of these adapted vehicles.
On 3 September, the first video of one of Russia’s MT-LBs fitted with a 2M-3 twin 25mm naval gun turret was shared online. The turret appears to be extremely unstable, shaking violently, its hard to imagine this weapon system being useful for anything beyond suppression.
A Russian MT-LB mounted with a 2M-3 turret (via IZ)
A week later on 10 September a short clip of another Russian MT-LB with a 2M-3 turret was published by Russian news outlet Izvestia. Again the turret seen firing appears to be very unstable with not only the vehicle rocking on its suspension but also the turret bouncing in its mount.
Intriguingly both of these MT-LBs appear to have the 2M-3 turrets mounted much lower than the vehicles seen earlier. The MT-LBs seen earlier appear to have the turrets mounted higher in tower-like structures.
An S-60 MT-LB during an exercise in Russia (via social media)
Another adaptation not covered in our earlier video/article is the mounting of 57mm S-60 anti-aircraft guns on MT-LBs. These have been seen somewhat regularly and most recently shared via Russian telegram channels shared video of S-60-armed MT-LB training with a newly mobilised, but unnamed, unit in Russia’s central military district. These vehicles typically provide direct fire support against ground targets.
An MT-LBu fitted with a 14.5mm KPVT in a RWS (via 42nd Separate Mechanised Brigade)
In terms of Ukrainian adaptations there have been further sightings of one of the vehicles we looked at last time, an MT-LBu variant which has been upgraded with additional armour and a remote weapon station mounting a 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun. These are believed to be in service with the 42nd Separate Mechanised Brigade and some sources have described them using the designation BMP-1LB.
A brief clip from a mid-June report published by Новинарня which shows one of the 42 OMBr's upgraded MT-LBu, with a KPVT RWS, abandoned near Kreminnaya.
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) October 31, 2023
A video showing several of the adapted MT-LBus was shared on 7 September, showing four of the vehicles. On 13 September the 42nd Separate Mechanised Brigade shared a series of photographs featuring the vehicles. There hasn’t yet been any video of these vehicle’s remote weapon stations being fired so it is unclear if they have been stabilised better than their Russian counterparts.
MT-LB with a BM-7 Parus turret (via social media)
One adaptation which was not mentioned in our earlier video/article was the combining of an MT-LB with a BM-7 ‘Parus’ weapon module. The BM-7 normally comprises a 30mm ZTM-1 auto cannon, a coaxial PKT machine gun, a 30mm automatic grenade launcher and several anti-tank guided missiles. These are typically paired with the BTR-4. MT-LBs mounted with the BM-7 don’t appear to have the ATGMs fitted. These MT-LBs were first seen in July, with a video of two of the vehicles on the move shared on 21 July. Another video showing one of the vehicles firing has also been shared.
Russian marines of the 155th Guards Brigade operate an MT-LB with a 2M-3M twin mount.
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On 5 October, a combatant in Ukraine shared photograph of himself with a French FR F2 sniper rifle. The 7.62x51mm rifles have only been sighted in theatre once before in March 2022, when a single F2 was seen. The origins of that rifle are unclear as no further rifles were subsequently seen. The rifle may have been acquired as surplus or another potential origin for the rifle is as aid from either Estonia or Lithuania who previously issued the rifle.
Most recently, on 5 October, Ukrainian outlet Tysk shared three photographs, provided by one of their subscribers, featuring another FR F2. The photographs featured a rifle and a SAGEM Sword Sniper 3-in-1 optic (a telescopic sight, thermal weapon sight, and laser rangefinder) which is part of the FELIN System. The presence of the SAGEM Sword optics may suggest that France have provided a batch of the rifles and accompanying optics.
The rifle appears to be mounted with a SCROME J8 scope which the rifle is typically paired with in French service. The FR F2 is being replaced in French service by the FN SCAR-H PR which may mean that France can pass on its surplus F2s to Ukraine.
It remains to be seen if further examples of the FR F2s will be seen. If a substantial number have been transferred by France then further examples will likely be sighted in the future.
France has also transferred a considerable number of armoured vehicles and a unknown quantity of general purpose machine guns including AANF1s and FN MAGs. Most recently, on 13 September, a FAMAS with the Valorisé upgrade, which adds rails, was seen in a range video posted by a Ukrainian combatant. There has been no further sightings of FAMAS in theatre to date. Individual sightings can’t be considered representative of wider use or considerable transfers of weapons until further examples are seen in theatre.
Some very intriguing footage from #Ukraine featuring a French FAMAS with Valorisé upgrade (Picatinny rails added & position/style of the bipod altered). First such sighting of a FAMAS. France does have stocks to spare now the HK416F is entering service.#SALW#UkraineRussiaWar️pic.twitter.com/8ORtJNRO4W
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) September 13, 2023
Update – 1/12/23: The French Assemblee Nationale has published a document which outlines the equipment, but not quantities, provided to Ukraine by France. It confirms the provision of both FAMAS, various calibres of machine gun and precision rifles.
Update – 14/12/23:
Interesting to see a French FAMAS F1 Valorise in #Ukraine, with 54 ORB. We've seen some evidence of FAMAS in Ukraine previously and the French govt also recently confirmed an undisclosed number had been transferred.#UkraineWar#SALWpic.twitter.com/3Pb7a7JjMR
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) December 14, 2023
Update – 10/3/24: The French government has released an updated document listing the equipment and some of the quantities provided to Ukraine. The document states that 30 ‘Fusil de precision’ (precision rifles) have been provided between 1 March, 2022 and 1 May, 2024.
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On 29 September delegations from the defence departments of member states of the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States were shown around the JSC Instrument Design Bureau in Tula. During the tour Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu demonstrated a PP-2000 submachine gun. Also present was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces Yuri Grekhov who explained that the PP-2000 is now part of the emergency kit stored under Russian aircrew seats.
Grekhov’s statement confirms what has been anticipated for a while. Back in June, TASSreported that during the International Naval Show (IMMS-2023) Rostec/High-Precision Complexes (the parent company which offers the PP-2000) had confirmed that the weapon was “currently undergoing trials in the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of the Russian Federation.” This was confirmed by a post on Rostec’s website on 19 June.
A PP-2000 and a new PLK pistol at the range for testing (via FighterBomber)
The PP-2000 is a compact submachine gun, designed at the Instrument Design Bureau in Tula in the 1990s. The weapon is a conventional blowback which feeds from 20 or extended 44 round magazines which are loaded into the pistol grip. It is chambered in 9x19mm and can fire Russia’s standard 9mm ammunition or the armour piercing 7N21 and 7N31 rounds. It has a reciprocating charging handle which runs parallel over the barrel. It is characterised by its front grip which connects to the pistol grip to act as a large trigger guard. It can be fitted with a suppressor and has a side folding stock and a small length of rail on the top of the receiver for mounting optics. Other accessories such as lights or lasers can be attached to the base of the front grip. According to Rosoboronexport the weapon weighs 1.4kg (or just over 3lbs) unloaded and with the stock folded is 35cm (13.7in) in length.
Typically, aircrew have carried Makarov or Stechkin pistols but better equipping Russian pilots has long been a consideration with not all aircraft able to fit larger weapons such as rifle or carbines. This has reportedly been driven by experiences in Syria and more recently in Ukraine. During the battle of Hostomel airport in March 2022, a damaged KA-52 attack helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing. It’s crew were able to dismount and take up positions and await retrieval. They were armed with AK-74Ms, however, the confines of other Russian aircraft do not allow rifles to be carried.
PP-2000 (Rosoboronexport)
In a December 2019 interview with Lt.Gen. Nikolai Gostev, commander of the 4th Air and Air Defence Forces Army, Interfax asked if PP-2000s will be fielded. Gostev replied [machine translated]: “Currently, several promising samples of portable emergency supplies for flight personnel are being tested, which also include promising samples of small arms. The tests are carried out by specialists from the Gromov Flight Research Institute, and after their completion it will be decided which portable emergency supplies will be put into service.”
In May 2021, it was reported that Shoigu had directed the process for a compact personal defence weapon to be added to aircrew’s survival kits to be expedited. At the same time the PPK-20, from Kalashnikov Concern was also suggested as an option. Russian news reports noted that personal defence weapons would be added to the emergency kits aboard Su-27, Su-30SM, Su-35, Su-57, MiG-29 and MiG-35 as well as Su-24 and Su-34s.
Russian pilot demonstrating a PP-2000 during a Zvezda news report (Zvezda)
On 23 June 2023, during the failed Wagner advance on Moscow, General Sergey Surovikin, then Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, appeared in a video calling on Wagner to stand down. In his hand could be seen a PP-2000 outfitted with an optic, light and suppressor.
Surovikin with PP-2000 (Russian MoD)
In September 2022, the Fighterbomber telegram channel shared a post lobbying for the AM-17 rather than the PP-2000, rightly arguing a pistol calibre submachine gun is next to useless against combatants wearing body armour. Another major Russian telegram channel, Повёрнутые на Z войне, welcomed the wider issue of the PP-2000 in a post from late December 2022, sharing a photo of a PP-2000. The post also suggested that until then only Guards Aviation units had been issued them.
In January 2023, Fighterbomber began to report on the apparent testing of the PP-2000 and the PLK pistol, claiming that despite the order for three months testing positive reports from those involved had already been ordered.
A PP-2000 belonging to crew of a in an MI-8amtsh cargo helicopter, December 2022 (via @nrxnb)
In April 2023, Fighterbomberposted a review of the new PP-2000 and PLK. The post described the PLK as “a great gun. Powerful, comfortable and precise.” Praise for the PP-2000 was less forthcoming with the post noting: “PP-2000 is still jamming every now and then… still need 44-round magazines and a 7N31 cartridge for the PP.”
A new PLK pistol (via FighterBomber)
On 2 October, following Shoigu and Grekhov’s comments at Tula, Zvezdapublished a short report from a survival training centre. During the clip an Su-30SM pilot explains that “particular attention was paid to tactical shooting, survival in extreme conditions and tactical medicine.” The video shows pilots training in escape and evasion skills and sees them deploy their new PP-2000s. The video concludes with the two air crew firing both the PP-2000 and the PLK at the range.
The PLK pistols, from Kalashnikov Concern, are the latest iteration of the Lebedev pistol introduced in 2015 as the PL-14. The PLK was reportedly adopted by Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in October 2021 but sightings with Russian pilots are the first sightings of regular Russian military use. If more of the PLKs appear in use they’ll be a topic for a future article/video.
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Drone warfare in Ukraine is one of the war’s most rapidly evolving elements with considerable innovation and improvisation. In recent weeks several videos have been shared showing large drones dropping TM-62 anti-tank mines.
The first video shared on 3 September showed how a mine could be carried and released by a large six-rotor drone. The TM-62M is seen loaded into a cradle tray which is then remotely triggered causing the floor plate to hinge and release the mine. The video also shows how the TM-62 is fuzed with a UZRG-pattern hand grenade fuze, pushed directly into the mine’s explosive through a hole cut in the side of its casing.
The TM-62M is a high-explosive blast landmine designed to immobilise or destroy vehicles. The mine is packed with 7.5kg (17lbs) of explosive and is normally centrally fuzed by a pressure fuze. The TM-62M is a significant payload for a bomber drone and when dropped they have significant blast effect.
A subsequent video, shared on 6 September, shows a series of clips filmed by the bomber drone’s camera showing the TM-62 being dropped on numerous targets. The mines in this video have been significantly adapted with a stabilising tail added. The tail appears to be made up of a length of PVC pipe and a large water battle with its base cut off. The tail appears to be quite effective especially given the mine’s considerable weight and poor aerodynamics. It is also notable that the fuzing system appears to be different in the second video. Rather than a hand grenade fuze it appears that a larger fuze has been used, positioned next to the stabilising tail.
With the tail and its cut down water bottle its unlikely the release system for this munition is the same as that seen in the first video. A system which would allow for a smooth release and not snag the tail assembly would be needed. In several of the clips in the second video a strap swings past the drone’s camera perhaps suggesting there is a sling system in use.
A subsequent photograph shared on social media shows one of the mines in much better resolution. The tail is indeed made from PVC piping and a water bottle and the fuze appears to be vane-armed. The makers also have a sense of humour likening the odd-looking munition to the ‘USS Enterprise’ from Star Trek, they’ve written ‘USS Enterprise NCC-0001’ on the forward section of the mine.
At the same time as the photograph a number of additional videos showing the TM-62 based bombs being dropped were shared. These videos were originally shared towards the end of August and show a series of successful munition drops.
We are seeing a trend towards more sophisticated and more capable drone bombers which can carry either greater numbers of smaller bombs or larger singular bombs like the TM-62 munition.
Update – 1/10/23
Just today the K-2 drone team with the 54th Brigade has shared footage of one of their drones dropping TM-62s mines on a Russian storage position. These mines don't appear to have a tail assembly and are more simply fuzed like those seen in initial videos. pic.twitter.com/W7plTbDIKQ
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) October 1, 2023
The K-2 drone team with the 54th Brigade has shared footage of one of their drones dropping TM-62s mines on a Russian checkpoint and storage position. The drone appears to drop several unadapted TM-62s, though the lag time between landing and detonation would indicate they are not equipped with an impact fuze but perhaps a grenade fuze as seen in the initial videos featuring TM-62s. The resolution of the thermal cameras does not make it possible to identify the method of fuzing.
Note the falling TM-62 (with tape) and the swinging drop tray (K-2)
The release system appears to consist of a tray which holds the mine which is suspended by straps which are released to drop the munition. The tray can be seen swinging beneath the drone after one of the drops. The munitions appear to have tape around them, the reason for this is unclear, perhaps protecting the fuze system.
Update – 5/1/24: A video compilation showing numerous drops of TM-62s was shared on 5 January 2024. It begins with a demonstration of a light weight drop tray being released. The tray appears to be made from a metal grill (perhaps from an oven or an animal cage). The compilation shows mines being dropped without tail assemblies like those seen in earlier videos. Their are also visible puffs of gases/smoke from the mine’s fuze being triggered as it descends.
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) January 11, 2024
Update -17/1/24: Further footage of TM-62 pattern mines being dropped from drones. Note a tail stabiliser is not used.
Ukraine's feared mammoth drone Baba Yaga, capable of carrying and precisely dropping four TM-62 mines, each with a 7.5kg (17 lbs) explosive charge. pic.twitter.com/twkZnYnKQR
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Reports from Russian media outlets announced on 18 September, that Android Technics/Technology, a Russian technology company, had developed an analogue of AeroVironment’s Switchblade 300 loitering munition. Imagery and footage of the BAS-80 was shared by Russian state news outlet RIA.
Android Technology’s Managing Director, Evgeny Dudorov, told RIA that they had provided a ‘couple’ of the loitering munitions to a volunteer unit, the Tsar’s Wolves, which reportedly provides military-technical assistance to Separatist units. Dudorov hopes that the unit will “find the best ways” to use the new kamikaze drone. Back in April, the development of the BAS-80 was first reported when Android Technology stated that the munitions would be mounted on the Marker armed unmanned ground vehicle.
BAS-80 (via RIA)
Russia has had considerable success in the field with its larger, heavier Lancet loitering munitions developed by ZALA Aero Group which is a part of Kalashnikov Concern. The most advanced variants of Lancet boast a 11lb/5kg payload. The Ukrainian’s, however, have demonstrated an edge when utilising smaller FPV kamikaze drones. These FPV drones appear to be favoured over the Switchblade 300.
The BAS-80 bares more than a passing resemblance to the US-manufactured Switchblade which the US has provided to Ukraine in moderate numbers since March 2022. Utilising the same folding wing configuration and man-portable tube-launch system.
Russian news sites this morning are awash with stories about this new Switchblade-clone developed by НПО "Андроидная техника" which is reportedly undergoing limited testing currently.
— Historical Firearms | Matthew Moss (@historicfirearm) September 18, 2023
Dudorov stated that the BAS-80 is made from carbon fiber, weighs in at 3.7lb/1.7kg and has a maximum flight speed of up to 80mph/130kph. He also claimed that it can travel up to 18.6 miles/30km and carries a 1.1lb/500g payload – which may suggest that its intended for anti-personnel and anti-materiel use, like the Switchblade. This would made the BAS-80 0.6lb/300g lighter than the Switchblade 300 and have 12.5 miles/20km more range. Photographs of the munition show that it uses a pusher propeller configuration and has three forward-facing optical lens for guidance.
A Switchblade 300 in the field in Ukraine, 2022 (via social media)
It remains unclear if the Russian munition was developed using technology found in captured Switchblade 300s. Other analogues of the Switchblade have been developed by both China and Iran. China unveiled the FH-901 loitering munition in September 2022 and Iran introduced the Meraj-521 in October 2022. Both systems appear to be externally different in size and shape to that of the BAS-80, with the Chinese munition larger (more analogous with the Switchblade 600) and the Iranian drones launching from a rectangular box. The BAS-80 launches from a cylindrical tube more akin to the Switchblade.
The BAS-80’s guidance systems, software and internals remain unknown and from Russian reports it is still some way from mass production with development to be finalised following trials in the field.
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By far best known for providing Ukraine with Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, Turkey has provided a plethora of weapons and munitions ranging from artillery shells to APCs.
The Turkish arms industry has also provided heavy machine guns with Canik’s M2 QCB being seen on a number of occasions in recent months. The M2 Browning is fast becoming ubiquitous in Ukraine, provided in large numbers by a number of nations, the heavy machine guns equip large numbers of armoured vehicles and have also been seen in use in the ground role fairly regularly.
Canik introduced the M2 QCB in August 2022, unveiling an M2 and M3-pattern version of the weapon – the M2F. Back in April, Ukraine received a shipment of dual mounted M2F guns which were seen mounted on Nisan pickup trucks. These guns were seen in a photograph of President Zelensky inspecting new equipment for Ukraine’s border guard service. It’s unknown how many M2Fs have been delivered but they were reportedly procured to combat small drones.
#Russia / #Ukraine 🇷🇺🇺🇦: Combatants of the #Ukrainian Forces released new photos of recently obtained machine guns.
Turkish-made M2s are also likely mounted on the significant number of armoured personnel carriers which Turkey has provided to Ukraine including the 4×4 BMC Kirpi. The Kirpi can be mounted with either a GPMG or an M2, they are often seen in theatre with M2s mounted. Over 200 Kirpis have been ordered and batches have been delivered since August 2022.
BMC Kirpi’s in Ukraine, not the mounted M2s (via АрміяInform)
On 28 July, weapons researcher War_Noirshared photographs of a suspected M2 QCB showing the gun in a carry case and setup at the range.
Most recently on 3 August, Wagner PMC shared a video of a captured Turkish-made M2 on their Telegram. The video clearly shows Canik receiver markings.
A close up of the markings on the M2 held by Wagner (via social media)
Being largely identical externally to other M2-pattern heavy machine guns its difficult to ID the Turkish-made guns from much of the imagery shared from Ukraine. It is currently difficult to gauge how many are in theatre.
RDS40
An RDS40 and a FORT-600 (via War_Noir)
At the same time another fairly uncommon Turkish-made weapon has been confirmed to be in use in Ukraine with at least one RDS40 rotary 40mm grenade launcher seen with Ukrainian forces. Manufactured by Repkon Defence the RDS40 has a very recognisable pistol grip assembly with a guard which encloses the whole hand. It is unknown how many RSD40s are in Ukraine with no further sightings made at the time of writing.
Updates:
13/09/23 – Another sighting of a Repkon RDS40.
#Russia / #Ukraine 🇷🇺🇺🇦: A new photo of #Ukrainian combatants with interesting weapons on the frontline.
The fighters carry Repkon Defence's RDS40-MGL grenade launcher (supplied by #Turkey 🇹🇷), AK-12 assault rifle (captured from #Russian Forces) and customized AKM rifle.… pic.twitter.com/BYcYHtc7Zx
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) September 14, 2023
20/09/23 – Imagery of Ukrainian troops with a Canik-manufactured M2 heavy machine gun was shared anonymously on the /k/ chatboard on 15 September. The original poster states that his brigade’s M113 APCs were to be armed with the guns but reliability issues with 80% of the guns developed. The post complains of issues with the Turkish-made guns but its unclear if these problems are due to the guns manufacture or their set up in theatre. The post also included a short video of an M2 firing. It is unknown which Ukrainian Army brigade was provided the guns.
A short clip of the M2 being fired. Shared 15 September, unit unknown.
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) September 20, 2023
2/10/23 – Middle East Eyereports that their sources claim Ukraine has signed a series of contracts with Turkish defence company Canik for various weapon systems and that as many as 600 Canik-manufactured M2 heavy machine guns have been delivered to Ukraine.
18/10/23 – This photo featuring a soldier of the 115th Separate Brigade of the TDF appears to confirm that the blacker finish is somewhat typical of Canik-produced guns. This photo give us a look at markings.
20/10/23 – Another potential sighting on Turkish-manufactured M2-pattern heavy machine guns. The undated photographs, shared on Ukrainian Armed Forces social media, featured troops of the 22 Separate Mechanised Bridge.
Men of the 22 Separate Mechanized Brigade training on M2 Browning heavy machine guns. Which appear to be either brand new or recently refurbished. Sadly no markings are visible but the finish of the gun may indicate its of Turkish manufacture. #Ukraine#UkraineRussiaWar#SALWpic.twitter.com/CGYwTg1fKt
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) October 20, 2023
8/2/24 – Another example of a Canik M2 in Ukraine.
#Ukraine: Very interesting photo – 🇺🇦 #Ukrainian technical with installed 🇹🇷 #Turkish made and supplied .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) Canik M2 QCB heavy machine guns.
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We’ve examined a number of artillery systems in use in Ukraine, including the venerable M101 howitzers and the MT-100s mounted on MT-LBs, one of the smallest and most interesting howitzers in use is the OTO Melara Mod 56.
The Mod 56 is a small 105mm pack howitzer. It weighs in at 1.29 metric tons and it can be towed by light vehicles. It has a split trail gun carriage and a hydro-pneumatic recuperator assembly. Developed by Italy’s OTO Melara the gun entered service in the mid-1950s and has seen service with countries around the world including Italy, the UK, Australia, Spain, Pakistan and the Philippines.
An OTO Melara Mod 56 (Ukraine National Guard)
Much like the heavier M101 howitzers, transferred to Ukraine by Lithuania, the Mod 56 can use any M1 105mm ammunition. With its short 1.47 metre-long barrel, the Mod 56 has a maximum effective range of around 10,000 metres (10km/6 miles). While this puts it at a severe disadvantage compared to the larger 155mm howitzers used by Ukraine and the 152mm guns used by Russia the small Mod 56 has the advantage of being lightweight and can be deployed forward under cover. The most useful role it could likely fulfil is as an infantry support gun.
In November 2022, Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed that Spain would send a battery of six light howitzers and also provide training for Ukrainian gun crews. Subsequently, a brief clip of Ukrainian gunners training on the Mod 56 was shared in late November.
A Mod 56 in action (via social media)
The guns were seen in Ukraine for the first time in early January, with a short clip of one of the guns firing being shared on 11 January. It appears the gunner is wearing a National Guard patch but its unclear which unit the gun belongs to. On 12 January, the 1st Mechanized Battalion of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade posted an info-graphic giving some basic detail on the Mod 56.
On 20 February, a brief clip of a Mod 56 was shared, the footage was believed to have been taken in the vicinity of Bakhmut. However, photographs taken by an AP photographer, Libkos, of the same gun showed that the gun was actually in action in Avdiivka, Donetsk. The series of photographs also showed that the gun was being operated by a National Guard unit and the crew was using drone footage to select their targets. One photograph was also shared by President Zelensky on 5 March. Interestingly, the gun is seen without its shield.
Another video of one of the guns in action was shared on 16 April. It was several months before more imagery of the Mod 56s in use appeared but on 1 June, the Ukrainian National Guard shared a photograph of one of the guns and several days later, on 3 June, a short video of a gun in action was shared.
A Mod 56 in action (via social media)
Most recently on 19 July, a Ukrainian National Guard unit shared a brief clip of a Mod 56 firing. It also nicely illustrates the gun’s breech mechanism.
From the available imagery, it appears that the guns are operated by Ukraine’s National Guard, though which artillery unit is unclear. While it has been confirmed that Spain has provided at least 6 Mod 56 howitzers, it remains unknown if any other countries, such as Italy, have provided the small guns.
Update – 29/12/23:
An undated sighting of a Mod 56 in operation in Ukraine. Notably half of the gun shield appears to be missing.
⚡️The 105-mm howitzer OTO Melara Mod 56 handed over by 🇪🇸Spain is in service with the Armed Forces of 🇺🇦Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/HyvMr6MWdE
— Matthew Moss | Historical Firearms (@historicfirearm) July 23, 2024
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Earlier this month Popular Mechanics published an article I wrote about GRaft, a Ukrainian company which has manufactured belt boxes for almost every type of machine gun being used by the Ukrainian armed forces.
While belt boxes might not seem like the most exciting pieces of military equipment, they’re no less vital than the guns they’re paired with; the boxes are essential for storing and carrying ready-to-use belts of linked ammunition, and they allow machine gunners to move around unencumbered by hanging belts that can become tangled.
M240 GPMG with GRaft 100-round belt box (GRaft)
GRaft initially designed and manufactured furniture including benches and tables but with the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, they have since turned their attention and skills to belt boxes. With machine guns being transferred to Ukraine by a plethora of different countries this has led to a wide variety of machine guns entering service with the Ukrainian armed forces. In many cases the machine guns transferred to Ukraine are often without enough belt boxes.
I spoke to one of GRaft’s engineers who explained that their impetus to begin designing and manufacturing belt boxes came from friends’ experience with old boxes for PK-pattern machine guns. He explained that the old aluminium PK boxes had seen decades of service and there was a general shortage of them.
GRaft belt boxes at various stages of fabrication (GRaft)
GRaft began work on their PK box in April 2022 and within a month had a design ready for manufacture. GRaft refined its designs based on direct user feedback and soon began working on belt boxes for other weapons ranging from 14.5mm KPVs to 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm FN Minimis.
GRaft kindly shared some videos from their workshop showing how the belt boxes are fabricated. They use laser cutting to cut sheet metal into blanks which are then shaped and riveted and spot welded into their final form. They work with a small paint shop that then powder coat the boxes.
PK GPMG with GRaft belt box (GRaft)
The company also developed 75 and 100-round boxes for the FN MAG/M240, the 100 round box was designed with an angled wall so the mass of the belt sits closer to the weapon’s center of balance, improving the weapon’s handling. Similarly they have also begun producing boxes for 7.62x51mm MG42-pattern machine guns. Their goal, the engineer told me, is “satisfied machine gunners” but really they’d like to get back to producing furniture.
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The Armourers Bench 