PRETORIA, South Africa — Russia has unveiled the modernized RPG-29M portable anti-tank grenade launcher for the first time on the African continent at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 (AAD 2026) exhibition in Pretoria.
Developed by Rostec and displayed by Rosoboronexport, the RPG-29M is a major modernization of the Soviet-era RPG-29 “Vampir.” Designers used experience from combat operations to reduce weight, improve handling and portability, upgrade the sighting system and expand ammunition options.
According to official data, the 105 mm launcher weighs 4.4 kg and measures 620 mm in length, compared with around 11.5–12 kg for the original RPG-29 launcher. It has a stated service life of 300 rounds and can operate from –40°C to +50°C.
The RPG-29M can use a daytime optical sight or an all-weather thermal imaging sight with integrated fire-control functions. The upgraded sighting system supports target engagement in different lighting and weather conditions, while the stated direct-fire range reaches 700 to 1,000 meters, depending on the ammunition.
The launcher uses three main types of 105 mm ammunition:
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PG-29VM: Tandem hollow-charge anti-tank round with a direct-fire range of up to 700 m, designed for armoured targets including vehicles protected by explosive reactive armour.
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TBG-29VM: Thermobaric round with a range of up to 1,000 m, intended for personnel, field fortifications, buildings and lightly armoured or soft-skinned targets.
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MG-29V: Multipurpose tandem hollow-charge and thermobaric round with a range of up to 1,000 m, intended for lightly armoured and unarmoured vehicles, personnel, fortifications and buildings.
All three rounds are supplied in standardized sealed transport containers measuring 1,050 mm in length and weighing approximately 9 kg. Earlier presentations have also mentioned possible incendiary, cluster and fragmentation ammunition.
AAD 2026 is being held from September 16 to 20 at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion, Pretoria. Russia is presenting the RPG-29M as part of its wider defence display at the exhibition.
Rosoboronexport is also highlighting its military-technical cooperation with African countries, including more than 20 projects involving maintenance, repair and localized production of military equipment.
The RPG-29M was previously presented publicly at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, making AAD 2026 its first public presentation on the African continent.
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