C90-CR (M3)

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]

C90-CR
C-90
TypeAnti-tank weapon
Rocket-propelled grenade
Place of originSpain
Service history
In service1990–present
Used bySee Users
WarsYemeni Civil War[1]
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
DesignerInstalaza
ManufacturerInstalaza
Unit cost€2,099 (2022)[2]
Specifications
Mass5.3 kg
Length940 mm[3]
CartridgeTandem HE[4]
Caliber90 mm
Muzzle velocity160 m/sec[5]
Effective firing range350 m (point target)[6]
Maximum firing range700 m (area target)[6]
Sightsfixed 2× optical sight standard

Variants

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

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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.[11][12]

Users
Map with C90-CR (M3) users in blue
 Brunei
 Colombia
 Ecuador
 El Salvador
 Estonia[13]
 Georgia[14]
 Indonesia
  • 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.
 India
 Italy
  • Italian Army. In use with Special Forces. Versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster.
 Kuwait
 Malaysia

 Portugal

 Saudi Arabia
 Spain[4]
 Ukraine[16]

References
  1. "Research Report No. 6: Spanish C90-CR rocket launchers & Alhambra hand grenades in Yemen - Armament Research Services (ARES)". 30 August 2016.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. "OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide" (PDF). September 2001. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  5. "Instalaza C90". Military Factory. MilitaryFactory.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. "C90-CR (M3), the lightest infantry weapon system in its class". Instalaza. Instalaza. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  7. "C-90-CR (M3)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  8. "La Empresa". Archived from the original on 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  9. Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por España ya están en manos de los soldados ucranianos El Mundo (9 marzo 2022)
  10. Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por Pedro Sánchez ya están en manos del Ejército ucraniano El Español (7 marzo, 2022)
  11. El lanzagranadas español C90 en Ucrania: 1.400 unidades, tres meses destruyendo tanques El Periódico de España (02 de junio del 2022)
  12. BMP ruso destruido por un lanzagranadas Instalaza c90 español en Dronivka por fuerzas especiales ucranianas El Periódico (01/06/2022)
  13. Estonian Ministry of Defence
  14. https://mod.gov.ge/ge/news/read/9234/saqartvelos-tavdacvis-ministri-espanuri-tanksawinaagmdego-sistemebis-sachvenebel-swavlebas-daeswro
  15. MEGA REPORTAGEM FORÇA AÉREA PORTUGUESA, retrieved 2022-09-07
  16. "Spain to send grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine, minister says". Reuters. 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
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