#ags 17

In Action:  AGS-17

Developed by the OKB-16 design bureau in Tula in 1967 the AGS-17 ‘Plamya’ (flame) was the first automatic grenade launcher adopted by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union developed the AGS-17 (Avtomaticheskiy Granatomyot Stankovyi) as a close to medium range support weapon capable of engaging unarmoured vehicles, infantry and light defensive positions. They acted as the base of fire for Soviet rifle companies during fire and manoeuvre advances. 

The Red Army tested the first prototypes 1969 and full scale production began in 1971. The AGS-17 fires a 30x29mm high explosive fragmentation grenade, feeding from a 29-round belt held in a drum. The AGS-17 fires from an open bolt and uses a blowback action and is capable of up to 400 rounds per minute. The gun and tripod together weigh 31kg. The AGS-17 can be used in both direct and indirect fire roles and was also frequently mounted on vehicles. An airborne version, the AG-17A, was also developed and mounted in Soviet helicopters. 

The photograph above shows the AGS-17 in action during an exercise, Soviet mechanised infantry, armed with AK74s, deploy forward while in the background a BTR armoured personnel carrier and BMP infantry fighting vehicle can be seen. The AGS-17 saw extensive service during the Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan during the 1980s. In the second image shows Soviet troops in Afghanistan with an AGS-17 in a defensive position. 

The AGS-17 later saw action during the Chechen Wars and numerous other Russian military operations and remains in service although it is being superseded by the improved AGS-30. 

Sources:

Images: 1 2 3

AGS-17 Automatic Grenade Launcher, World.Guns.ru, (source) 

Janes Infantry Weapons 1983-84, (ed.) I.V. Hogg