ROKS flamethrowers

The ROKS-2 and ROKS-3 (Shortened from Russian, Rantseviy Ognemyot Kluyeva-Sergeyeva; Ранцевый Огнемёт Клюева — Сергеева; "Kluyev-Sergeyev backpack flamethrower") were man-portable flamethrowers used by the USSR in the Second World War.

ROKS-2 flamethrower
A captured ROKS-2 flamethrower at the Mikkeli Infantry museum, Finland (2011)
Type	Flamethrower
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1935−1945 (USSR)
Used by	Soviet Union
Wars	Second World War, Vietnam War
Production history
Manufacturer	Different manufacturers
Produced	1935-1941
Specifications
Mass	22.7 kg (50.0 lb)
Crew	1
Effective firing range	25 m (27 yd)
Maximum firing range	45 m (49 yd)
Feed system	9 L (2.4 US gal) fuel tank 1 nitrogen tank (propellant)
Sights	None

The ROKS-2 was designed not to draw attention, so the fuel and gas tanks were concealed under a sheet-metal outer casting resembling a knapsack; the flame projector was designed to resemble a standard Mosin–Nagant rifle. The purpose of this was to prevent the operator from being specifically targeted by the enemy.^[1] The flame shots were ignited by firing specially modified 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridges.^[2]

The ROKS-2 was used, amongst other engagements, during the close-range fighting during the first days of the Battle of Kursk in 1943.^[3]

The ROKS-3 was a simplified model designed to be easier to manufacture. It did away with the disguise for the backpack, though it retained the flame projector designed to resemble a rifle. Both models carried around 9 litres (2.4 US gal) of fuel. The fuel was propelled by nitrogen gas pressurized at 115 bars (11,500 kPa)^[2] and, under ideal circumstances, had a maximum range of around 45 metres (49 yd).^[1]

A Finnish soldier with a captured ROKS-3 flamethrower, June 1943

The Finnish designation for captured ROKS-2 units was liekinheitin M/41-r. Captured Soviet flamethrowers saw some use by Finnish forces during the Continuation War. They were operated by two-man teams of combat engineers. They were well regarded by the Finns, although flamethrowers of all kinds saw little use by Finnish forces.^[2]

Some ROKS-3 units were supplied to North Korea,^[4] Czechoslovakia, Kingdom of Yemen (via Czechoslovakia),^[5] and North Vietnam.^[6]

Users

•  Czechoslovakia^[5]
•  Finland − Captured ROKS-2 and ROKS-3^[7]
•  North Korea^[4]
•  Soviet Union
•  Vietnam − ROKS-3 supplied by the USSR^[6]
•  Yemen − 50 delivered in 1957, former Czechoslovak stock^[5]

See also

• List of flamethrowers
• List of Russian weaponry