AGS-17

The AGS-17 Plamya is a Soviet automatic grenade launcher. ("Plamya" means "flame" in Russian. AGS stands for .) It was designed to fire 30x29mm grenades. It was designed by Alexander Fedorovich Kornyakov and OKB-16 (now KBP Tula). It was manufactured by "Molot" Plant. Multiple countries use the AGS-17. It was later replaced by the AGS-30.
History.
The AGS-17 "Plamya" was designed in 1968 by Alexander Fedorovich Kornyakov and OKB-16, but manufactured by "Molot" plant. It was designed to arm Soviet troops to fire at unarmored troops. It was first seen in service in 1971.
Use.
The AGS-17 has been used in many wars, these include the Syrian Civil War, Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and more.
Soviet-Afghan War.
During the Soviet-Afghan War, the AGS-17 was used on Trucks, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other vehicles during the war, but the AG-17A was used on Mi-8s.
First Chechen War.
During the First Chechen War, Russia used the AGS-17 against Chechnya, but also some Chechens may have stolen the weapon from Russian soldiers.
South African Border War.
The South African Army bought the AGS-17. It was the first time it was used outside of Afghanistan.
Syrian Civil War.
During the Syrian Civil War, the Syrian Republican Guard, the rebel Syrian National Army, and IS fighters all used AGS-17 Plamya.
Russo-Ukrainian War.
A video was seen of troops using an AGS-17 during the 2014 Russian Invasion of Ukraine, but Ukraine used the RGSh-30. Donetsk and Luhansk, with the Russian Ground Forces, have also used the AGS-17 against Ukraine.
Yemeni Civil War.
During the Yemeni Civil War, almost all have used the AGS-17, including Saudi Arabia, Houthis and other factions.
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
During the Nagorno-Karabkh conflict, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have used the weapons against each other.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the AGS-17 has been used by Russia and Ukraine against each other, as it has seen intense fighting in the Counter-Offensive, Kyiv Offensive and other battles. It has also been seen in the hands of Territorial Defense forces, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
Design.
The AGS-17 Plamya combines the properties of a mortar, with the abilities to use mounted fire, and the properties of automatic guns, with an 840mm barrel. The AGS-17 is belt fed, with a belt containing about 17 grenades. To this day it is still used by the Russian Ground Forces. The intended purpose was to stop armored vehicles and enemy infantry.
Ammunition.
The AGS-17 is belt-fed. It uses 30x29mm grenades with steel casing. It usually uses VOG-17M, the standard grenade for the AGS-17, and the VOG-30, which was a better version of the VOG-17M with more explosive filling and fragmentation. There is also the VOG-30D, a new, improved variant of the VOG-30, introduced in 2013. There is also the IO-30 grenade, which is HE (highly explosive), and the IO-30TP which is a practice grenade used for training. Finally, it also uses the VUS-30, which is a smoke grenade. There is a Bulgarian company named Arcus that made handheld grenades based on the VOG-17M, which are called the AR-ROG.
Variants.
There are multiple variants of the AGS-17, which include:
AG-17A.
The AG-17A is a remote controlled variant of the AGS-17, with a heavier barrel and higher rate of fire, which is put on vehicles and helicopters such as the Mi-8 and GAZ Tigr. 
AG-17D.
A variant of the AG-17A, which is also remote controlled.
RGSh-30.
The RGSh-30 is a Ukrainian variant of the AGS-17 made by a company named Precisions Systems. It has the same purpose of the AGS-17, to destroy enemy vehicles and infantry. It fires VOG-17 grenades, but it only has a 5 round belt.
AGS-30.
A successor of the AGS-17, the AGS-30 fires 30x29mm. It was first seen in 2002, but developed in 1971. It comes with a 2.7x magnification scope, and has a longer range. It has been seen in use multiple times in Chechnya and other places, but it is heavier.
AG-30M.
The AG-30M is a variant of the AGS-30. It is remote controlled, and sometimes is also placed on vehicles such as the Mi-8, similar to the AGS-17D and AGS-17A.
AGL-30.
A Bulgarian variant of the AGS-17.
M93.
A Montenegrin and Serbian name for the AGS-17.
30 KrKK AGS-17.
Finnish variant and name for the AGS-17.
Users.
Current.
The AGS-17 has multiple users, these include: