Ridheehee at 14:25, 19 July 2025

2025-07-19T14:25:59Z

New page

{{Infobox weapon
|name=Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, 40mm
|image=File:UBGL unit.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption= ARDE UBGL.
|origin= [[India]]
|type= [[Grenade launcher]]

|is_ranged= yes

|service= 2010–present<ref name=bsword>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922175112/http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/nl/2010/august2010.pdf|url=http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/nl/2010/august2010.pdf|title=Bulk Production Clearance for 40mm UBGL|publisher=DRDO|accessdate=2013-11-15|archivedate=2010-09-22|date=August 2010|page=2}}</ref>
|used_by=[[Indian Army]]
|wars=

|designer= [[Armament Research and Development Establishment]]<ref name="bsword"/>
|design_date= 2010
|manufacturer= [[Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=10,000 (September 2019)<ref name="DRDO">{{Cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/40mm-under-barrel-grenade-launcher-ubgl|title=40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India}}</ref>
|variants=

|weight= 1.5 kg (unloaded)
|length= 450mm
|part_length= 350mm
|width=
|height=
|crew=

|cartridge= [[40 mm grenade#40x46mm|40x46mm]]
|caliber=
|action= Single shot, Pump Action
|rate= 5 to 7 round/min
|velocity= 250 ft/s (76 m/s)
|range= 28-400m
|max_range= 400m
|feed=Breech Loading
|sights= Various sights developed by ARDE for the launcher:<ref name=ofb>{{cite web|title=Under Barrel Grenade Launcher 40 mm |url=http://ofbindia.nic.in/products/data/weapons/wmc/8.htm |publisher=[[Ordnance Factories Board]] |accessdate=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211041651/http://ofbindia.nic.in/products/data/weapons/wmc/8.htm |archivedate=11 December 2014 }}</ref>
*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''',{{efn|No official name is given to the grenade launcher as of March 2020.<ref name="DEFEXPO2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/02/25/defexpo-2020-indian-ubgl-under-barrel-grenade-launcher-for-insas/|title = [DEFEXPO 2020] Indian UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) for INSAS -|date = 25 February 2020}}</ref>}} is a single shot [[grenade launcher]] developed by [[Armament Research and Development Establishment|ARDE]] and [[Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli]]<ref name="bsword"/> for use with the [[INSAS rifle|INSAS]] and [[AK-47]] rifles used by the [[Indian Army]]. Standalone versions of the grenade launcher exist.<ref name="ofb"/>

As of September 2019, around 10,000 UBGLs were manufactured.<ref name="DRDO"/>

==History==
[[File:Yudh Abhyas 2014 140928-a-sf654-018 (15221572140).jpg|left|thumb|upright|An Indian Army soldier with an INSAS AR outfitted with a UBGL.]]

The UBGL was in Indian military service since 2010.<ref name="DEFEXPO2020"/> It was reported by the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Indian Ministry of Defence]] in 2011 that paramilitary forces ordered around 100 UBGLs.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Annual Report 2010-11 |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/155963/AR-eng-2011.pdf |journal=Ministry of Defence Government of India Annual Report}}</ref>

In 2020, production of 40mm rounds began in Ammunition Factory Khadki under [[Atmanirbhar Bharat]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gktoday.in/ammunition-factory-khadki-pune-manufactured-40-mm-ubgl-under-barrel-grenade-launcher-ammunition/ | title=Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune, manufactured 40 mm UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) Ammunition - GKToday }}</ref> The first ammunition consignment was sent to the [[Border Security Force]].<ref name="40MMR">{{Cite web|title=40 mm UBGL (UNDER BARREL GRENADE LAUNCHER) AMMUNITION BY AFK, PUNE|url=http://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1645370|access-date=2020-11-19|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

On August 2, 2021, OFT announced that the UBGL was made compatible with the [[Trichy assault rifle]], which is being brought into service by the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF), [[Central Armed Police Forces]] (CAPF) and various [[State Armed Police Forces]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chennai |first=PIB |date=August 2, 2021 |title=LAUNCHING OF 40 X 46 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) for TAR and AK-47 Rifle |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1741582 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

==Design==
The UBGL can be attached to the INSAS and various AK-47 rifles.<ref name="DRDO"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Technology Focus|date=October 2021|title=Small arms and ammunition|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf|url-status=live|website=[[DRDO]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009034015/https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Oct_2021.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2021 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="ofb"/><ref name="DEFEXPO2020"/> Its maximum range is 400 metres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/infantry-support-weapons/ |title=INFANTRY SUPPORT WEAPONS - Asian Military Review |accessdate=2015-10-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006104047/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/infantry-support-weapons/ |archivedate=2015-10-06 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="ofb"/>

To install the UBGL, the handguard of an INSAS/AK-type rifle needs to be removed first before the device is installed.<ref name="DEFEXPO2020"/>

===Ammunition===
The UBGL can be used to fire Practice, HEAP, HEDP and RP-type 40mm rounds.<ref name="40MMR"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223140819/https://ofb.gov.in/unit/pages/OFT/40mm-ubgl |date=February 23, 2020|title=40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801151217/https://ddpdoo.gov.in/unit/pages/OFT/40x46mm-ubgl---tar |date=August 1, 2022|title=40mm UBGL - TAR}}

{{Ordnance Factories Board}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Firearms of India]]
[[Category:40×46mm grenade launchers]]
[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation]]

ARDE Under Barrel Grenade Launcher - Revision history

Ridheehee at 14:25, 19 July 2025