Engineering:STK 40 AGL

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STK 40 AGL
TypeAutomatic grenade launcher
Place of originSingapore
Service history
In service1991–present
Used bySee Users
WarsAnti-guerrilla operations in the Philippines
2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict[1]
Production history
DesignerChartered Industries of Singapore
Designed1986-1989
Manufacturer
  • Chartered Industries of Singapore (former)
  • ST Kinetics (former)
  • ST Engineering
Produced1991–present
Specifications
Mass33 kg (72.75 lb)
Length966 mm (38.0 in) with stock
Barrel length350 mm (13.8 in)
Width376 mm (14.8 in)
Cartridge40x53mm grenade
ActionBlowback operation
Rate of fire350-500 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity242 m/s (794 ft/s)
Maximum firing range2,200 m (7,217.8 ft)
Feed systemLinked belt
SightsFolding leaf sight
Light Strike Vehicle MK. II with a STK 40 AGL mounted

The STK 40 AGL, formerly the CIS 40 AGL[lower-alpha 1] is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, developed in the late 1980s and produced by the Singaporean defence firm Chartered Industries of Singapore.

The launcher is employed primarily by the Singapore Armed Forces and the police and security forces of several other countries.[2]

History

The 40AGL was made in 1990, followed by the 40LWAGL in 2001 (previously called the 40 mm Super Light Weight AGL).

On 19 June 2000, STK announced the release of an upgrade kit, known as the 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Air-Bursting System (40mm AGL-ABS).[3] Upgrades consist of the electronic fire control system, the gun computer, the muzzle programming coil as well as the optical sighting system.[3]

On 13 December 2010, the Kuwait Defense Ministry released a statement that the CIS 40 AGL was offered for the Kuwaiti military.[4]

In September 2013, Thales and ST Kinetics agreed to develop, manufacture and market ST Kinetics' 40mm low-velocity air-bursting ammunition for the Australian and New Zealand markets.[5] ST Kinetics also announced that the company secured a total of more than US$30 million worth of international orders from Canada and United States for its 40mm ammunition in October 2013.[6]

Design

The 40AGL is mounted in combination with the 12.7-mm 50MG in the ST Kinetics' 40/50 cupola weapon system, installed on the M113 and Bionix. The 40AGL weighs 33 kg without mount or ammunition.  

The STK 40 AGL can be mounted on a M3 tripod, a light weight tripod, a lock/fire mount, softmount, ringmount or on a RWS.[7]

The range of 40 mm rounds include low velocity, high velocity, less-than-lethal, camera,[8] self-destruct, airburst and enhanced blast insensitive explosive rounds.  

Aside from regular 40mm grenades, it can also use Air-Bursting Munition Systems to increase both firepower and lethality.[9]

Variants

Mark II

The STK 40 AGL has a Mark II variant, which includes weight reduction of almost 6 kg; a barrel removal system; improved handling, performance, aesthetics and ergonomics.[10] The components, when disassembled, consist of the operating group, barrel, receiver group, top cover group, trigger group.[10]

40LWAGL

Previously called the 40 mm Super Light Weight AGL, the objective of ST Kinetics in designing the 40LWAGL was to keep the grenade launcher's weight to below 20 kg, or half the weight of conventional AGLs.

3GL

In 2008, ST Kinetics entered into a teaming agreement with Electro-Optic Systems (EOS) and Metal Storm (MS) to develop a 3-shot under-barrel grenade launcher called the 3GL.

The 3GL is intended to replace the M203 under barrel grenade launcher for most military rifles including the M16, AK-47, SAR 21 and Steyr AUG. It can also be detached to operate as a stand-alone weapon.[11]

The 3GL is a semi-automatic grenade launcher firing individually loaded grenades, with up to three rounds being able to be loaded and fired semi-automatically. It can be attached to weapons via RIS rails or to a stand-alone folding stock.[12]

Redback Lightweight

St Kinetics also collaborated with Australia's Metal Storm and Electro Optics System to develop a new high-speed and recoilless 40 mm grenade launcher.[13]

Users

  •  Bangladesh: STK 40 AGL Mk 2 used by Bangladesh Army.[14]
  •  Chile[15]
  •  Cyprus[16]
  •  Georgia: Used on Nurol Ejder and Otokar Cobra AFVs[17]
  •  Indonesia: Made under license by PT Pindad for the Indonesian military as Pindad SPG-3 in 1994.[18][7]
  •  Italy[15]
  •  Mexico[15]
  •  Morocco[15]
  •  Nigeria[15]
  •  Papua New Guinea: Used by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.[19]
  •  Peru[15]
  •  Philippines: Philippine Army, Philippine Marine Corps[15]
  •  Singapore: Used as a main armament on the Bionix 40/50 IFVs.[20][21]
  •  Sri Lanka[15]
  •  Thailand[15]
  •  Uruguay[15]

Notes

  1. ↑ Using the Wayback machine on this CIS 40 AGL page indicates that the CIS 40 AGL name was used until early 2017, when it changed to the STK 40 AGL name as seen here.

References

  1. ↑ "The Armourers Bench" (in en). 8 August 2025. https://armourersbench.com. 
  2. ↑ Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł. Bellona. 2001. pp60.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Advanced 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Air-Bursting System". http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/2451/new-40mm-air_burst-grenade-launcher-unveiled-(june-20).html. 
  4. ↑ "Kuwait Defence Ministry, ST Kinetics and CIS 40mm AGL". http://www.tacticalreport.com/view_news/Kuwait_Defence_Ministry_ST_Kinetics_and_CIS_40mm_AGL/1537. 
  5. ↑ "DSEI 2013: Australian Munitions announces tie-ups with Diehl, ST Kinetics". IHS Jane's. 2013. http://www.janes.com/article/26947/dsei-2013-australian-munitions-announces-tie-ups-with-diehl-st-kinetics. 
  6. ↑ "AUSA 2013: ST Kinetics secures ammo contracts". Land Warfare International. 2013. http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/ausa-2013-st-kinetics-secures-ammo-contracts/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jones & Ness (2010), p. 429.
  8. ↑ "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure". ST Engineering. http://www.stengg.com/upload/612TJKUY7dK8cTL7V66.pdf. 
  9. ↑ Jones & Ness (2010), p. 429-430.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ST Kinetics: Singapore on the Move". https://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=1876. 
  11. ↑ "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure". ST Engineering. http://www.stengg.com/upload/612TJKUY7dK8cTL7V66.pdf. 
  12. ↑ "US Navy buys 'Metal Storm' grenade-gasm gun" Lewis Page, the Register, 19 November 2007
  13. ↑ "40mm SPARCS Product Brochure". ST Engineering. http://www.stengg.com/upload/612TJKUY7dK8cTL7V66.pdf. 
  14. ↑ "Bangladesh army standardizes Singaporean 40mm grenade launcher". Army Recognition Group (Promenade des Ours, 11, 5300 Andenne, Belgium). 20 November 2020. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2020_global_security_army_industry/bangladesh_army_standardizes_singaporean_40mm_grenade_launcher.html. 
  15. ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 Trade Update 2019. Small Arms Survey. 2019. pp. 50. http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf. 
  16. ↑ Redefined, Defence (2021-06-13). "ΤΑΜΣ-ΤΑΑΣ «ΝΙΚΗΤΗΣ-ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑ 2021» | Τα ενδιαφέροντα οπλικά συστήματα και μέσα που εντοπίσαμε - Φωτογραφίες" (in el). https://defenceredefined.com.cy/ταμσ-ταασ-νικητησ-δημητρα-2021-τα-ενδια/. 
  17. ↑ "Armament of the Georgian Army". http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D9%26Itemid%3D9%26lang%3Den. 
  18. ↑ "Un repaso a las armas ligeras de Pindad" (in Spanish). ARMAS. http://www.revistaarmas.com/1580/un-repaso-a-las-armas-ligeras-de-pindad.html. 
  19. ↑ Capie, David (2004). Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific. Wellington: Victoria University Press. pp. 63–65. ISBN 978-0864734532. 
  20. ↑ "Singapores Bionix IFV Family". http://tanknutdave.com/singapores-bionix-ifv-family/. 
  21. ↑ Miller, Stephen W. (23 May 2017). "Fighting Talk". https://asianmilitaryreview.com/2017/05/fighting-talk-ifv/. 
Bibliography
  • Andrew, C Tillman (December 1989). "IDR test report: Singapore's automatic grenade launcher ...and then there were seven". Jane's International Defence Review (Jane's Information Group): 1681–1683. 
  • Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011. Jane's Publishing. 2010. ISBN 978-0710629081. 
  • Wozniak, Ryszard (2001) (in pl). Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. pp. 58–59. ISBN 83-11-09310-5. 

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