The Armed Forces of Ukraine showcased a weapon that incinerates the enemy with a fireball.

Demonstration of the Ukrainian flamethrower RPV-16

The 118th Mechanized Brigade demonstrated the operation of the Ukrainian flamethrower RPV-16 for close combat, designed to target enemy personnel, destroy equipment, and structures. The video was presented by 'Army TV'.

According to the instructor of the 118th Mechanized Brigade, Hleba, the flamethrower has a combat load consisting of a thermobaric component and a rocket engine, which allows for the formation of an aerosol cloud and a fireball after the explosion with temperatures up to 2500 °C. In addition to this, the warhead has shrapnel effects, with fragments scattering up to 25 meters in perimeter.

'Its purpose is to strike at enemy personnel that has taken cover in shelters. This could be concrete pillboxes, bunkers, fortified dugouts, lightly armored vehicles, or trenches. It is designed to maximize damage using this aerosol that disperses,' he explained.

The initial firings of the Ukrainian RVP-16 flamethrower took place at a training ground in the Chernihiv region in 2017, and the weapon was officially adopted by the Ukrainian army in October 2018.

It is also worth noting that former CIA Director Petraeus called Ukrainians pilots of unmanned aviation complexes a powerful weapon of the future, used to deter Russian aggression, while the UK, together with Germany, is working on the development of new high-precision weapons with a range of over 2000 km.

Moreover, the RPV-16 flamethrower opens new opportunities for Ukrainian military in fighting the adversary and enhancing national defense capability.