

Uses a hollow charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. Regardless of the type of warhead loaded, all launcher tubes weigh a "mass" of 144.444 units: Due to its disposable setup, each PzF 3 launcher is always pre-loaded with a specific round which is "swapped" by simply discarding the used tube with a fresh one (only the optical sight/fire controls are retained). The PzF 3 is capable of loading and firing three types of rounds.

Though it is less useful as an anti-infantry weapon and lacks the ability to fire non-lethal munitions such as illumination rounds, the PzF 3's superior tank busting capabilities are worth the tradeoff. In a sense, it is the (arguably) superior anti-tank launcher when pitted against the bulkier PzF 84, with the PzF 3's dedicated anti-armour munitions penetrating vehicle armour much more effectively. Note the discarded tube of the previous launcher.įurthermore, the PzF 3 supports a wider selection of usable ordnance for the operator to choose from, greatly enhancing its flexibility for any type of target whether that be Infantry Fighting Vehicles/ Main Battle Tanks, or simply attempting to demolish a building garrisoned by hostile infantry. Additionally, the PzF 3 does not require the user to mount a dedicated optical scope to aim with since all launcher units already feature one by default.

The user can then mount another tube and quickly set themselves up for a different target to attack. Once fired, the launcher tube is discarded while the integrated sight and fire controls are kept. Limited production runs of the new platform commenced in the mid 1980s and mass production for the Bundeswehr would begin in the early 1990s.Ĭompact enough for a single operator to carry alongside multiple spare rounds, the PzF 3 can cut through the armour plating of most Soviet tanks with ease.

The PzF 3 features an integrated optical sight with a magnification of 3x.Įssentially a modern replacement for the obsolete PzF 44-2 recoilless rifle, the PzF 3's origins date back to the original PzF launchers used during the Second World War. It can load and fire three types of pre-loaded 60 mm rockets which use either high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) or high-explosive anti-tank multi-purpose (HEAT-MP) warheads. It is designed to fire unguided 60 mm rocket-propelled grenades. The PzF 3 is a man-portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon.
