| C90-CR | |
|---|---|
 C-90 | |
| Type | Anti-tank weapon Rocket-propelled grenade |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War[1] 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Instalaza |
| Manufacturer | Instalaza |
| Unit cost | €2,099 (2022)[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.3 kg |
| Length | 940 mm[3] |
| Cartridge | Tandem HE[4] |
| Caliber | 90 mm |
| Muzzle velocity | 160 m/sec[5] |
| Effective firing range | 350 m (point target)[6] |
| Maximum firing range | 700 m (area target)[6] |
| Sights | fixed 2× optical sight standard |
The Instalaza C90 is a 90 mm disposable, shoulder-fired and one-man operated rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG) which can be fitted with a VN38-C night vision device for full night combat capability.[7] It is being used as an infantry-type weapon, with Instalaza also claiming it to be the, "lightest infantry weapons system in its class".[6][8]
Variants[edit]
The following are variants produced by Instalaza:[7]
- C90-CR (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead of different types. Has armor penetration of 400 mm.[4]
- C90-CR-RB (M3.5) and the C-90-CR-RB (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead. Has armor penetration of 500 mm.
- C90-CR-AM (M3.5) – also has a shaped head charge, but with a special body that provides antipersonnel fragmentation
- C90-CR-FIM (M3.5) – contains more than 1.3 kg of red phosphorus composition, producing incendiary effects and smoke.
- C90-CR-BK (M3.5) – has a tandem warhead precursor for anti-bunker/building fortifications. The warhead pierces the walls and goes through the wall before it explodes inside the interior.
- C-90-CR-IN (M3) – is a training model with inert warhead.
Operational history[edit]
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[edit]
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Spanish government, like other Western governments, sent Ukraine shipments of weapons, equipment, ammunition and vehicles, including numerous C90 grenade launchers.[9][10] There are images of at least one Russian infantry fighting vehicle being destroyed by a C-90 near Dronivka.[11][12]
Users[edit]
- Indonesian Army. In use with the infantry units and Special Forces. Versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90-CR-RB (M3), C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster.
- Indian Army; C-90-CR-RB (M3) only.
- Italian Army. In use with Special Forces. Versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster.
- Malaysian Army. In service since 1990s. 780 additional units ordered in 2024.[15]
- Territorial Defense Forces: 1,370 rockets
References[edit]
- ^ "Research Report No. 6: Spanish C90-CR rocket launchers & Alhambra hand grenades in Yemen". Armament Research Services (ARES). 30 August 2016.
- ^ Salvador, Antonio (3 March 2022). "Así son los lanzagranadas 'made in Zaragoza' que España enviará a la resistencia ucraniana". El Independiente (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ the first C90-C and C90-C-AM were 840mm in length; the C90-CR versions increased to 940mm for the larger rocket motor; and the C90-CR(M3) increased the length to 983mm - i.e. showing the increase length with addition of shock-bumpers on the front and rear of the launcher
- ^ a b c "OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide" (PDF). September 2001. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ "Instalaza C90". Military Factory. MilitaryFactory.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "C90-CR (M3), the lightest infantry weapon system in its class". Instalaza. Instalaza. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b "C-90-CR (M3)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ "La Empresa". Archived from the original on 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por España ya están en manos de los soldados ucranianos El Mundo (9 marzo 2022)
- ^ Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por Pedro Sánchez ya están en manos del Ejército ucraniano El Español (7 marzo, 2022)
- ^ El lanzagranadas español C90 en Ucrania: 1.400 unidades, tres meses destruyendo tanques El Periódico de España (02 de junio del 2022)
- ^ BMP ruso destruido por un lanzagranadas Instalaza c90 español en Dronivka por fuerzas especiales ucranianas El Periódico (01/06/2022)
- ^ "Estonian Ministry of Defence". Archived from the original on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
- ^ https://mod.gov.ge/ge/news/read/9234/saqartvelos-tavdacvis-ministri-espanuri-tanksawinaagmdego-sistemebis-sachvenebel-swavlebas-daeswro
- ^ "Spanish LAW RFB".
- ^ MEGA REPORTAGEM FORÇA AÉREA PORTUGUESA, retrieved 2022-09-07
- ^ "Spain to send grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine, minister says". Reuters. 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-03-08.