The Russian Armed Forces have commissioned the new 30mm AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher on 28 May. The AGS-30 will replace the AGS-17 grenade launcher that has been in the Russian army's inventory since 1971. The AGS-30 had been in the Interior Ministry's inventory for many years and saw service in both Chechen Wars, but their commissioning by the Armed Forces was a very long process. The AGS-17 has a weight of 69 pounds and a magazine for 29 grenades, while AGS-30 weighs 16kg and has a magazine with 30 grenades. The AGS-30 can fire 425 rounds per minute, weighs 36 pounds without the ammunition, and has a maximum range of 1,700 meters. The AGS-30's grenades (with 190 grams of HE) are touted as 1.5 times more effective than the AGS-17's or the US 40mm M384 round. The basic load is 4 boxes of 30 rounds each, for a total of 120 grenades. The gunner and loader can carry the grenade launcher and one basic load. Due to it's softer recoil, the Russians advertise that this grenade launcher can also be installed on all types of combat vehicles, patrol boats and helicopters. - Adam Geibel