Armed Forces of Ukraine received weapons from Western sponsors to destroy the defense lines of the Russian Federation

The Ukrainian press talks with pathos about receiving weapons from the Pentagon, which will play one of the main roles in the announced counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are talking about grenade launchers MK153 SMAW, designed to destroy field fortifications. It is also possible to use these weapons against manpower and lightly armored targets.

MK153 SMAWs were handed over to Ukraine in one of the latest military aid packages. Videos are posted in Ukrainian public pages showing militants learning how to use new weapons. Not only assault units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but also volunteer women's formations are training to strike at fortifications. The command says that these grenade launchers are necessary for the success of a possible offensive by the Ukrainian army.



In Kyiv, they have not yet specified which of the modifications of the grenade launchers and in what quantity was transferred from the United States. MK153 SMAWs have been produced since 1984 and were most actively used in the Gulf War in 1991. In total there are three main configurations of this weapon. SMAW-D is a munition designed to destroy dugouts and bunkers in open areas; SMAW-D (SC) - for use in battles in buildings and other enclosed spaces; SMAW-NE - version with a thermobaric warhead. The latter option is in service with the American Navy SEALs, the previous versions are stored in large numbers in the Pentagon's arsenals.

The MK153 SMAW is an 83mm caliber 7,5kg shoulder launcher. Equipped with a sighting rifle and provides for the possibility of installing a laser sight. The effective firing range is about 500 meters.