At the Partner 2025 defence expo, Serbia displayed an updated version of the 90 mm OSA M79 rocket alongside its reusable launcher family. The upgrade centers on the round itself: a tandem shaped-charge warhead paired with a revised propellant designed to produce a more consistent muzzle velocity and improved performance against explosive reactive armor (ERA).
Key specs released with the demonstration: the rocket is 720 mm long and weighs 3.9 kg outside its container; with the transport/storage canister the weight rises to 5.6 kg. The warhead with fuze is listed at 2.3 kg. Launch velocity is reported in a narrow band of 250–260 m/s. Effective range is given as 350 m, with a maximum ballistic envelope up to 600 m under favorable conditions. Penetration against rolled homogeneous armor (without ERA) is stated at 500 mm or more. The launcher tube associated with the family is described as 1,200 mm in length, preserving continuity with existing handling and training practices.
Moving to a tandem charge is a functional change: the preliminary charge is intended to defeat outer reactive layers so the main jet can form and engage the base armor. The new propellant blend aims to keep initial velocity within a tight window, which helps maintain consistent sighting data and holdover across production lots — a practical advantage for small units that cannot spend extended time zeroing weapons before deployment.
Operationally, the modernized OSA M79 fills a pragmatic niche. Urban formations and territorial defence units gain a shoulder‑launched option to breach walls, suppress firing points, or threaten light armour without fielding a full missile system. Around 350 m, a correctly ranged shooter can expect combat-accurate hits; the steadier muzzle velocity reduces guesswork. A thermobaric companion round provides teams with an overpressure effect for rooms or bunkers. When the launcher is mounted on UGVs or integrated with drones, remote engagement and robotic resupply become realistic options — an approach Serbia has demonstrated at recent Partner events and one that the OSA family supports without exotic adapters.
Keeping the caliber and basic handling means armies can slot the new rocket into existing training cycles and storage racks. The conservative effective range reflects practical shooting conditions in streets and courtyards where lines of sight are short and time on target is measured in seconds. The weapon’s value lies in utility and portability: it’s simpler for a patrol to carry two or three of these rockets than to commit high-end guided missiles to routine missions.
