Poland has bought thousands of light, disposable M72 EC MK1 grenade launchers to combat military vehicles, including heavily armored tanks, Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced on Twitter.
Information regarding the parties involved, delivery dates, and manufacturers is still limited.
However, according to largest Polish defense outlet Defence24, the contract has been signed with Norwegian Nammo Raufoss AS, the producer of the grenade launcher.
Kolejna dobra informacja dla Wojska Polskiego! Podpisaliśmy umowę na dostawy kilkunastu tysięcy lekkich granatników jednorazowych M72 EC MK1. To nowoczesna broń przeznaczona do zwalczania wozów bojowych, w tym do zwalczania ciężkich pojazdów opancerzonych, takich jak czołgi. pic.twitter.com/oWUb4DjMy2
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) July 7, 2022
The M72 system weighs 3.5 kilograms and has a range of 350 meters (1,150 feet). The grenade launcher can also penetrate armor up to 450 millimeters thick. Most Polish Armed Forces anti-tank systems are based on the M72 design.
In response to the Russia-Ukraine war, the country’s defense ministry has recently made several arms purchases, including 32 AW149 attack helicopters and 500 HIMARS rocket artillery systems.
