RPG-18 Mukha
The RPG-18 Mukha is a Soviet short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher designed in 1972, based on the American M72 LAW. The RPG-18 has been in service in over 20 conflicts and used by over 20 armed forces across the world.
Also recorded as RPG18 · RPG-18 · Mukha
RPG-18 Mukha
From: http: Source ORDATA a US government ordnance database. · Public domain
- Name
- RPG-18
- Field
- rocket-propelled grenade
- Region
- Soviet Union
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Documentary summary
The RPG-18 Mukha is a Soviet short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher designed in 1972, based on the American M72 LAW. The RPG-18 has been in service in over 20 conflicts and used by over 20 armed forces across the world.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q689051
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — RPG-18 • Origin — Soviet Union • Type — Rocket-propelled grenade • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1972–present • Used By — See users • Wars — Vietnam War Cambodian Civil War Laotian Civil War Sino-Vietnamese War Cambodian–Vietnamese War Third Indochina War Soviet–Afghan War Salvadoran Civil War Gulf War First Nagorno-Karabakh War Tajikistani Civil War First Chechen War Congo Civil War Second Chechen War War in Afghanistan Iraq War Russo-Georgian War Kivu conflict Syrian civil war Russo-Ukrainian War • Design Date — 1972 • Manufacturer — Bazalt (Soviet Union) VEB Mechanische Werkstätten (East Germany) • Production Date — 1972-1990 (Soviet Union) 1978-1989 (East Germany • Weight — 1.4 kg (projectile) 2.6 kg (loaded) • Length — 705 mm (unarmed) 1,050 mm (ready to fire) • Crew — 1 • Cartridge — PG-18 HEAT • Caliber — 64 mm • Rate — Single shot • Velocity — 115 m/s • Range — 100-150m • Max Range — 200m • Sights — Mechanical flip-up sight
History
History
• Illustration — RPG-18 (bottom) with comparable Soviet/Russian rocket launchers • Illustration — An RPG-18 attached to a drone The RPG-18 is very similar to the US M72-series LAW anti-tank rocket launcher, with captured examples during the Vietnam War likely being sent to the Soviet Union. The RPG-18 has been succeeded by the RPG-22, a very similar design with a larger warhead.
Users
Users
* * * * • Chad • Congo • Georgia * • Flag of al-Qassam Brigades.svg Hamas • Iraq Iraqi insurgents • Islamic State * * * • Transnistria • Panama * * • Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Free Syrian Army * * * *
Former users
Former users
• Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Chechen Republic of Ichkeria • Flagge FDLR.svg Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda • Donetsk People's Republic: Used by DPR forces during the War in Donbas and the Russian invasion of Ukraine before their annexation by Russia in November 2022. • Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) * •: Sandinista Popular Army •: Passed on to successor states. • Real Irish Republican Army
General
General
• Jones, Richard. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–06. Coulsdon: Jane's, 2005..
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Soviet Union
Country
RPG-18 Mukha is associated with Soviet Union.
Country
Description
The RPG-18 fires a 64 mm PG-18 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead mounted on a small rocket able to engage targets within 200 meters. The warhead self-destructs six seconds after launch, placing a limit on range even if a sight was used that was effective with targets beyond 200 meters. The RPG-18 can penetrate up to 300 mm of conventional vehicle armor (RHA); up to 500 mm of reinforced concrete; and up to 1,000 mm of brickwork. However, performance is significantly lessened when the RPG-18 is used against targets protected by HEAT-resistant explosive reactive armour (ERA) or composite armor. Unlike similar weapons, the RPG-18 requires only one operator as it is not reloadable.
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Broader subject
1- rocket-propelled grenadeTerminology
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Militaria
6,095 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Royal Ordnance L7Terminology
- RPA RangemasterTerminology
- RPG-1Terminology
- RPG-16Terminology
- RPG-2Terminology
- RPG-22Terminology
- RPG-26Terminology
- RPG-27Terminology
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