File image.
Russia’s advanced RPG-32 “Barkas” reusable shoulder-launched, unguided anti-tank rocket system has been spotted in Ukraine.
On August 11, a video showing a soldier of Kiev forces test-firing the RPG-32 in an unspecified part of Ukraine surfaced online. Back then, Ukrainian sources said that the weapon was captured from the Russian military. While these claims could be true, the weapon has not been spotted with any Russian unit since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine.
Russia’s Bazalt developed the RPG-32 between 2005 and 2007 on request and under contract from Jordan. Later, Jadara Equipment & Defence Systems began assembling the weapon in Jordan from kits made in Russia by Bazalt under the name “Nashshab”.
The RPG-32 can be armed with the PG-32V tandem high-explosive anti-tank round that can penetrate 650 mm of rolled homogeneous armor, or with the TBG-32V thermobaric round for use against the enemy’s infantry and fortifications. Both rounds have a maximum range of 700 meters.
While the anti-tank weapon is not guided, it can be equipped with a variety of sights for day and night missions as well as with a laser-range finder.
Click to see full-size image. Source: facebook.com/WeaponSystems
Jordan has been maintaining a neutral stand on the conflict in Ukraine. However, Abdullah II did praise Western military support to Kiev during an interview with CNBC in June. Moreover, Jadara is known to enjoy close ties with Ukraine’s military industrial complex. The company assembles a licensed copy of Luch’s RK-3 Corsar anti-tank guided missile in Jordan under the name “Terminator”.
How exactly an RPG-32 ended up in the hands of Kiev forces remains up to debate. The weapon did make surprise appearances before in Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
- Ukraine Celebrates Independence Day In Best ISIS Tradition
- IAEA Renews Request to Visit Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
