RPG-43

Prior to World War II, the Red Army anti-tank weapons included the PTRD-41 and PTRS-41 anti-tank rifles and the RPG-40 hand grenade, which were marginally effective against early German tanks, quickly becoming obsolete when the Germans started fielding heavier tanks to counter the Red Army T-34 and KV tanks. The Soviets also relied on 45 mm anti-tank guns, which started to become obsolete mid-1942. In response, the Soviets developed the RPG-43 which had enough penetrating power to threaten German Panzer IIIs, Panzer IVs, and StuGs, forcing the Germans to increase armor thickness in their designs and install spaced armour side plates to provide protection against these new grenades. It could also destroy a Panther tank if thrown against the thinly armoured turret roof or engine compartment. While the RPG-43 was succeeded by the RPG-6, both grenades remained in use during WWII against armoured vehicles and fortified positions, such as bunkers. In the post-war period, the Soviets continued using the RPG-43 and RPG-6 as late as 1960, being replaced by the RKG-3 which offered greater penetration against armour. They also supplied the grenade for several Warsaw Pact allies, including Albania, East Germany, Hungary, and Poland. Communist forces in the Korean War made use of several stick grenades including the RG-43; During the Vietnam War the North Vietnamese used grenades supplied by the Soviets; The grenade was also used by Egyptian troops during the Yom Kippur War; and paramilitary forces such as the As-Sa'iqa during the Lebanese Civil War; In the 1990s, during the Georgian Civil War several paramilitary groups purchased ex-Soviet surplus grenades from Russian officers.

Albania As-Sa'iqa − Used during the Lebanese Civil War China East Germany Egypt − Used during the Yom Kippur War Georgia − Used by Georgian military and militia units during 1990s period. Hungary North Korea Poland Soviet Union Vietnam