Ukrainian Forces train with newly delivered RPG-76 Komar single-use rocket-propelled grenade (Reaktívny Protitankový Granát, RPG). RPG-76 Komar (Mosquito) is a Polish light one-shot anti-tank grenade launcher that fires an unguided anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade. The weapon was designed as a smaller and lighter alternative to the RPG-7, especially for use by airborne troops. Thanks to jet nozzles located between the warhead and the fuel compartment, they can be fired from inside of a building or a vehicle. Though these aren’t very effective against modern Russian main battle tanks, they would still work against structures & light armor.
In 2003 it was withdrawn from front line units due to the limited anti-tank capabilities of the grenade. Polish Armed Force’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan changed this with Polish airborne and special forces using the Komar in Iraq and Afghanistan. Polish soldiers also used a small number of heavier multipurpose Carl Gustav recoilless rifles using a variety of modern ammunition types. The weapon is shipped in wooden crates, each launcher is sealed in an airtight plastic sheet and 6 launchers are placed in each crate. Komar is an effective anti-personnel weapon, against light armored vehicles and firing posts.
The RPG-76 does not have a tandem warhead, but a small armor-piercing projectile, which makes it fire effectively at tanks such as the T-72, T-80, and their modifications, but only from very limited angles. Modern Russian main battle tanks are only successfully hit if they are attacked from the side of the engine. For the shooting to be successful, the soldier must have a 100% guarantee that the enemy’s armored vehicle is in his field of vision. It is extremely important to know that immediately after the shot, without waiting for the result, the soldier must leave the position as quickly as possible.
The Polish Minister of Defense has adopted a resolution to provide local-made weapons to Ukraine following the tensions with Russia. As a member of NATO, Poland wants to show its support to Ukraine by supplying military equipment and weapons including Piorun GROM-M MANPADS man-portable air defense missile systems. During a press conference that was held on February 1, 2022, President of Poland Andrzej Sebastian said, Poland will provide Ukraine with “any help” to supply the country with humanitarian and military needs. A convoy with ammunition and a man-portable air-defense system from Poland has arrived in Ukraine on February 26, 2022.
