SPG-9

The projectile is launched from the gun by a small charge, which gives it an initial velocity of between 250 and 400 metres per second. The launch charge also imparts spin to the projectile by a series of offset holes. Once the projectile has traveled approximately 20 meters (65.6 feet) from the launcher, a rocket motor in its base ignites. For the PG-9 projectile, this takes it to a velocity of 700 metres per second (2,297 feet per second) before the motor burns out.

The SPG-9 is heavy (~60 kg), and is normally transported by vehicle, and carried into position by its two crew. It can be deployed in around a minute. The weapon is in service with a large number of armed forces, and a variety of ammunition is produced; however, they are mostly copies of the original Soviet PG-9 HEAT and OG-9 FRAG-HE rounds.

The SPG-9 is widely available to terrorists and maritime pirates such as in the Horn of Africa region, as well as in other regions to a lesser degree. It is not as popular as the RPG-7 because it has to be mounted on a vehicle or boat and cannot be easily carried and shoulder fired. The SPG-9 requires much more skill to fire accurately than the RPG-7. There have been reports of these mounted in skiffs and larger "mother ships". The SPG-9 can typically be found mounted on a wide variety of vehicles known as "technicals" in Somalia.

A variant for use with airborne troops including detachable wheels was built as the SPG-9D.

The SPG-9 was used by both sides during the Transnistria War, with at least one combat kill: a T-64BV of Russian peacekeepers was destroyed using an SPG.[7]

Romanian soldiers with an AG-9 (licensed built SPG-9) in traveling position.

A Mongolian Mobile Training Team member reviews the SPG-9 recoilless gun with Afghan National Army soldiers prior to a live-fire weapons demonstration, September 2, at the Camp Scenic weapons range near the Darulaman Infantry School in Kabul, Afghanistan. The MTT specialize in SPG-9 recoilless rifle systems and train ANA soldiers at the infantry school.

Forces belonging to the Iranian Navy using SPG-9. Velayat 94 military exercise

•  Afghanistan[11]
•  Armenia
•  Azerbaijan
•  Belarus
•  Bulgaria: manufactured locally as Arsenal ATGL[12]
•  Central African Republic[13]
•  Cuba
•  Egypt: manufactured locally
•  Georgia[14]
•  Grenada (People's Revolutionary Army of Grenada): 8 units
•  Hungary
•  Iran: AMIG SPG-9[12]
•  Iraq[15]
  • Iraqi Kurdistan[16]
•  Kyrgyzstan[17]
•  Libya[2]
•  Mali[18]
•  Moldova[19]
•  Mongolia
•    Nepal
•  Pakistan: licensed copy
•  Poland
•  Romania: RomArm AG-9[12]
•  Russia[20]
•  Soviet Union (former user)
•  Sudan[21]
•  South Sudan[22]
•  Syria
•  Ukraine,[23] also used by separatist forces[16]
•  Vietnam[24]
•  North Korea

• SPG-82

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.

• Media related to SPG-9 at Wikimedia Commons