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Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, 40mm
Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, 40mm
	A UBGL.
Type	Grenade launcher
Place of origin	India
Service history
In service	2010–present
Used by	Indian Army
Production history
Designer	Armament Research and Development Establishment
Designed	2010
Manufacturer	Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
No. built	10,000 (September 2019)
Specifications
Mass	1.5 kg (unloaded)
Length	450mm
Barrel length	350mm
Cartridge	40x46mm
Action	Single shot, Pump Action
Rate of fire	5 to 7 round/min
Muzzle velocity	250 ft/s (76 m/s)
Effective firing range	28-400m
Maximum firing range	400m
Feed system	Breech Loading
Sights	Various sights developed by ARDE for the launcher: Post type foresights; Ladder sight with 50m steps; Illuminated bubble sight for indirect firing; Tritium illuminated sight for night firing;

The 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher,^[a] is a single shot grenade launcher developed by ARDE and Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli^[1] for use with the INSAS and AK-47 rifles used by the Indian Army. Standalone versions of the grenade launcher exist.^[3]

As of September 2019, around 10,000 UBGLs were manufactured.^[2]

History

The UBGL was in Indian military service since 2010.^[4] It was reported by the Indian Ministry of Defence in 2011 that paramilitary forces ordered around 100 UBGLs.^[5]

In 2020, production of 40mm rounds began in Ammunition Factory Khadki under Atmanirbhar Bharat.^[6] The first ammunition consignment was sent to the Border Security Force.^[7]

On August 2, 2021, OFT announced that the UBGL was made compatible with the Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR), which is being brought into service by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and various State Police Forces.^[8]

Design

The UBGL can be attached to the INSAS and various AK-47 rifles.^[2] It has a three-point attachment system to be able to mount the UBGL to the rifles with a built-in safety to prevent accidental discharge.^[9]

The trigger system is a button located on the left side of the barrel, allowing the soldier to fire both the rifle and grenade launcher without having to change his firing posture.^[3]^[4] Its maximum range is 400 metres.^[10]

The weapon uses a simple ladder sight mechanism, similar to the GP-25. It also has tritium illuminated sights for night firing. The ammunition fired by the UBGL is similar to the Milkor MGL used by the Indian Army, allowing for standardisation.^[3]

To install the UBGL, the handguard of an INSAS/AK-type rifle needs to be removed first before the device is installed.^[4]