hail
Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It is distinct from ice pellets (American English "sleet"), though the two are often confused. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is called a hailstone. Ice pellets generally fal ...
multiple rocket launcher
A multiple rocket launcher (MRL) or multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a type of rocket artillery system that contains multiple launchers which are fixed to a single platform, and shoots its rocket ordnance in a fashion similar to a volle ...
designed in the
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the
Sino-Soviet border conflict
The Sino-Soviet border conflict was a seven-month undeclared military conflict between the Soviet Union and China in 1969, following the Sino-Soviet split. The most serious border clash, which brought the world's two largest communist states to ...
. ''BM'' stands for ''boyevaya mashina'' ( ru , боевая машина –
combat vehicle
A combat vehicle, also known as a ground combat vehicle, is a self-propelled, weaponized military vehicle used for combat operations in mechanized warfare. Combat vehicles can be wheeled or tracked.
History Ancient
The chariot is a type o ...
), and the nickname means "
hail
Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It is distinct from ice pellets (American English "sleet"), though the two are often confused. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is called a hailstone. Ice pellets generally fal ...
". The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket is designated as the M-21 field-rocket system. The complete system is more commonly known as a Grad multiple rocket launcher system.
In
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
countries the system, either the complete system or the launch vehicle only, was initially known as the M1964. Several other countries have copied the Grad or have developed similar systems. In Russian service its intended replacement is the
9A52-4 Tornado
The Tornado is a family of related multiple rocket launchers developed by NPO Splav for the Russian Ground Forces. Variants of the system, which include the Tornado-G and Tornado-S models, have different capabilities and different battlefield role ...
. Many similar 122 mm MLRS systems are made by different countries based on the BM-21 Grad.
Description
The M-21 field rocket system with a BM-21 launch vehicle (122 mm multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system) entered service with the Soviet Army in 1963 to replace the aging 140 mm
BM-14
The BM-14 (BM for ''Boyevaya Mashina'', 'combat vehicle'), is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), normally mounted on a truck.
The BM-14 can fire 140 mm M-14 rockets with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, a smoke warh ...
system. The launch vehicle consists of a
Ural-375D
The Ural-375 is a general purpose 4.5 ton 6×6 truck, which has been produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in the Russian SFSR since 1961. The Ural-375 replaced the ZIL-157 as the standard Soviet Army truck in 1979. It was itself replaced by the ...
6x6 truck chassis fitted with a bank of 40 launch tubes arranged in a rectangular shape that can be turned away from the unprotected cab.
The vehicle is powered by a water-cooled V8 180 hp
gasoline engine
A petrol engine (gasoline engine in American English) is an internal combustion engine designed to run on petrol (gasoline). Petrol engines can often be adapted to also run on fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas and ethanol blends (such as ''E ...
, has a maximum road speed of , a road range of up to , and can cross fords up to deep. The original vehicle together with supporting equipment (including the re-supply truck 9T254 with 60 rockets) is referred to by the
GRAU index
The Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (), commonly referred to by its transliterated Russian acronym GRAU (), is a department of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is subordinate to the ...
"9K51". The launcher itself has the industrial index of "2B5". In 1976, the BM-21 was mounted on the newer
Ural-4320
The Ural-4320 is a general purpose off-road 6×6 vehicle, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in Miass, Russia for use in the Russian army. Introduced in 1976, it is still in production today.
The wheel arrangement for the Ural-4320 was design ...
6x6 army truck.
The three-member crew can emplace the system and have it ready to fire in three minutes. The crew can fire the rockets from the cab or from a trigger at the end of a cable. All 40 rockets can be away in as little as 20 seconds, and can be fired individually or in small groups in several-second intervals. A PG-1M panoramic telescope with a K-1
collimator
A collimator is a device which narrows a beam of particles or waves. To narrow can mean either to cause the directions of motion to become more aligned in a specific direction (i.e., make collimated light or parallel rays), or to cause the spati ...
can be used for sighting.
Each rocket is slowly spun by rifling in its tube as it exits, which along with its primary fin stabilization keeps it on course. Rockets armed with high explosive-fragmentation, incendiary, or chemical warheads can be fired . Newer high explosive and cargo (used to deliver anti-personnel or antitank mines) rockets have a range of and more. Warheads weigh around , depending on the type.
The number of rockets that each vehicle is able to quickly bring to bear on an enemy target makes it effective, especially at shorter ranges. One battalion of eighteen launchers is able to deliver 720 rockets in a single volley. The system has lower precision than gun artillery and cannot be used in situations that call for pinpoint accuracy. It relies on a large number of shells dissipating over an area for a certain hit rate on specific targets. Because of the short warning time for the impact of the whole volley, the BM-21 is still considered an effective weapon.
Variants
Russia
* BM-21: Original version known as the BM-21 launch vehicle. The launcher unit was mounted on a modified
Ural-375D
The Ural-375 is a general purpose 4.5 ton 6×6 truck, which has been produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in the Russian SFSR since 1961. The Ural-375 replaced the ZIL-157 as the standard Soviet Army truck in 1979. It was itself replaced by the ...
truck chassis.
** BM-21-1: Launch vehicles are mounted on a family of
Ural-4320
The Ural-4320 is a general purpose off-road 6×6 vehicle, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in Miass, Russia for use in the Russian army. Introduced in 1976, it is still in production today.
The wheel arrangement for the Ural-4320 was design ...
truck chassis.
** 2B17 or also BM-21-1: This upgrade was presented for the first time in 2003 and was developed by
Motovilikha Plants
PJSC Motovilikha Plants / Motovilikhinskiye Zavody PAO (MOTZ.MM) (russian: Мотовилихинские заводы; ) is a Russian metallurgical and military equipment manufacturer. In 2016 Motovilikha Plants joined NPO Splav, a Rostec compa ...
from Perm. The system is fitted with a satellite navigation system NAP SNS, automated fire control system ASUNO, APP laying system and can fire a new generation of rockets with a range of . The truck is the
Ural-4320
The Ural-4320 is a general purpose off-road 6×6 vehicle, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in Miass, Russia for use in the Russian army. Introduced in 1976, it is still in production today.
The wheel arrangement for the Ural-4320 was design ...
1.
* 9P138 "Grad-1": lighter 36-round version, mounted on a 6x6
ZIL-131
The ZIL-131 is a general purpose 3.5 tonne 6x6 army truck designed in the Soviet Union by Zavod Imeni Likhacheva, ZIL. The basic model being a general cargo truck. Variants include a tractor-trailer truck, a dump truck, a fuel truck, and a 6x6 fo ...
chassis. The vehicle with supporting equipment (rockets, transporter 9T450 and re-supply truck 9F380) is referred to as complex 9K55. The 9P138 can only use "short-range" rockets with a range of . It used to be known in the West as BM-21b or M1976.
* BM-21V "Grad-V" (''Vozdushnodesantniy'' – 'airborne') (NATO designation M1975): Developed for
Soviet airborne troops
The Soviet Airborne Forces or VDV (from ''Vozdushno- desantnye voyska SSSR'', Russian: Воздушно-десантные войска СССР, ВДВ; Air-landing Forces) was a separate troops branch of the Soviet Armed Forces. First formed be ...
in 1969. A
GAZ-66
The GAZ-66 is a Soviet and later Russian 4x4 all-road (off-road) military truck produced by GAZ. It was one of the main cargo vehicles for motorized infantry of the Soviet Army and is still employed in former Soviet Union countries. It is nickna ...
B 4x4 truck chassis is fitted with a 12-round 122 mm rocket launcher. The vehicle is sturdy enough to be air-dropped. Parts of the vehicle such as the canvas cab roof can be taken off or folded down to reduce its size during transit. Like the BM-21, the BM-21V has stabilizing jacks on the rear of the vehicle for support when firing. The launch vehicle has the industrial index of 9P125.
* 9А51 "Prima": 50-round launcher on a
Ural-4320
The Ural-4320 is a general purpose off-road 6×6 vehicle, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in Miass, Russia for use in the Russian army. Introduced in 1976, it is still in production today.
The wheel arrangement for the Ural-4320 was design ...
5t chassis. The vehicle together with fire control equipment, the ammunition transporter TZM 9T232M and the new rocket 9M53F is referred to as complex 9K59. Apparently only a small number was produced.
* "Grad-P Light portable rocket system": The complete system comprises a single-round man-portable launcher (it can be reloaded and used again), a 9M22M 122 mm high-explosive fragmentation rocket and a fire control panel. The system was developed in the middle of the 1960s for Soviet special units and was used by Vietnamese forces at war with the US, under the designation DKZ-B. It was not accepted for regular service with the Russian Army, but it was and is still popular with
paramilitary
A paramilitary is an organization whose structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but is not part of a country's official or legitimate armed forces. Paramilitary units carr ...
and guerrilla forces.
* BM-21PD "Damba" (''Protivodiversionnyi''): 40-round launcher mounted on Ural-375D or 43201 truck chassis. Developed for protection of naval bases against underwater infiltrations, uses special ammunition PRS-60 (''Protivodiversionnyi Reaktivnyi Snaryad''). The vehicle together with ammunition transporter is referred to as complex DP-62 "Damba".
* A-215 "Grad-M": 20-round naval version, entered service in 1978.
* 9K51M "Tornado-G": an advanced version of the original BM-21 vehicle with sophisticated fire control system, satellite navigation, and automatic target aiming.
Adaptations of the launcher were/are produced by several countries including China,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
,
North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu River, Y ...
MAZ
Maz or MAZ may refer to:
* IATA code for Eugenio María de Hostos Airport, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
* Minsk Automobile Plant, abbreviated in Belarusian as MAZ
* Myc-associated zinc finger protein, a protein encoded by the ''MAZ'' gene
* Maz, a vill ...
-631705 6×6 truck with 425 hp diesel engine TMZ-8424. Between the cab and the launcher there is another pack of 40 rockets. The system was evaluated from 1997 and entered service in 2001.
Ukraine
* BM-21K: A modernization based on a modified double-cab
KrAZ-260
The KrAZ-260 is an off-road truck 6x6 for extreme operations. It was manufactured at the KrAZ plant.
Technical characteristics
*Engine: 14.86 L diesel 8 cyl.
*Power: 300 PS /2100rpm
*Torque: 1079Nm /1500rpm
*Top speed: 80 km/h
Variants
* Kr ...
chassis with an improved fire control system.
* Bastion-1: A modernization based on the
KrAZ-260
The KrAZ-260 is an off-road truck 6x6 for extreme operations. It was manufactured at the KrAZ plant.
Technical characteristics
*Engine: 14.86 L diesel 8 cyl.
*Power: 300 PS /2100rpm
*Torque: 1079Nm /1500rpm
*Top speed: 80 km/h
Variants
* Kr ...
chassis.
* Bastion-2: A modernization based on the
KrAZ-260
The KrAZ-260 is an off-road truck 6x6 for extreme operations. It was manufactured at the KrAZ plant.
Technical characteristics
*Engine: 14.86 L diesel 8 cyl.
*Power: 300 PS /2100rpm
*Torque: 1079Nm /1500rpm
*Top speed: 80 km/h
Variants
* Kr ...
chassis with additional storage space for 40 missiles.
* BM-21 UM Berest
* Verba: A modernization based on a modified double-cab
KrAZ-6322
The KrAZ-6322 is an off-road 6x6 truck intended for extreme conditions. It was first presented at the 1994 defence industry trade show in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The KrAZ-6322 has been manufactured at the KrAZ factory in Kremenchuk since 1994.
Technic ...
chassis with a digital fire control system.
Georgia
*
RS-122
The RS-122 is a Georgian mobile multiple rocket launcher firing 122 mm rockets. It was developed in 2011 and put on production display in February 2012. The RS-122 is a heavily modified version of the Soviet BM-21 Grad. Its main characteris ...
Magaria: In March 2012, the Republic of Georgia unveiled its own heavily modified self-propelled version of the BM-21 Grad. There are innovative improvements similar to that of its Polish counterpart. The crew cabin is armoured and well-protected in accordance with
STANAG
In NATO, a standardization agreement (STANAG, redundantly: STANAG agreement) defines processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common military or technical procedures or equipment between the member countries of the alliance. Each NATO st ...
level 2 or higher. The 40-tube launcher is fitted with a pinpoint targeting system and has a maximum firing distance of 45 km depending on ammunition, guaranteeing much more precision at greater distances. There is enough room for an additional 40-tube pack. The launcher can be deployed and activated directly from inside the crew cab, greatly decreasing time between salvos. However, the traditional external setup is also available. An entire barrage can be fired in less than 20 seconds. The general purpose platform can also be used for more sophisticated rocket systems.
People's Republic of China
* : The People's Republic of China produces the Type 81, which was copied from Russian BM-21s captured in the 1979
Sino-Vietnamese War
The Sino-Vietnamese War (also known by #Names, other names) was a border war fought between China and Vietnam in early 1979. China launched an offensive in response to Vietnam's Cambodian–Vietnamese War, actions against the Khmer Rouge in 1 ...
. After reverse engineering, it entered service with the PLA in 1982 where its upgraded version nowadays known as PHZ81. Due to the fact that it is a direct copy, the Type 81 is extremely similar to its Russian predecessor. Its 40 tubes are mounted on a Shaanxi Automobile Works
Yan'an
Yan'an (; ), alternatively spelled as Yenan is a prefecture-level city in the Shaanbei region of Shaanxi province, China, bordering Shanxi to the east and Gansu to the west. It administers several counties, including Zhidan (formerly Bao'an ...
SX2150 6x6 truck, which unlike the original Russian version, has a cab protected by blast shields.
* : This is a 24-round version, based on a Dong Feng truck. The launch tubes are arranged in three rows of 8. The launch vehicle has a total combat weight of and can also be used as part of the mine-laying rocket system Type 84. Currently new rockets with ranges between are being developed.
* : This is basically the 40-round launcher of the BM-21 or Type 81 mounted on a tracked chassis with 520 hp diesel engine. The same chassis is also used for the Type 83 152 mm self-propelled howitzer (PLZ83), the Type 89 120 mm tank destroyer (PTZ89) and several other specialised vehicles. The vehicle has a combat weight of and carries 40 spare rockets. Its current PLA designator is PHZ89.
* : The NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) Type 90 40-round multiple rocket system is an indigenously designed and built system equipped with an automatic operating and laying system, an electric firing system and an automatically reloadable pack of 40 rockets. It is very similar to the
M-77 Oganj
The M-77 Oganj is a 128mm Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia. NATO designation is the YMRL-32.
Development
Development started in 1968. Pro ...
but of 122 mm calibre. The chassis used is the Tiema SC2030 6×6 truck. A Type 90 MRL battalion consists of three batteries, each with 6 self-propelled rocket launchers, 6 ammunition re-supply trucks Tiema XC2200 with 80 rockets and a battery command post on a DongFeng EQ-245 6×6 truck.
* : Modernised version, based on a Tiema XC2200 6×6 truck chassis and fitted with a modern fire control system with GPS. The command post vehicle can lay and control a number of Type 90A systems by remote control for maximum firepower.
* : Latest, digitalised version. The rocket launch vehicle is based on a Beifang Benchi 2629 series 6×6 truck (Mercedes-Benz copy) and has a longer cabin. Each set now also has three forward observer vehicles, based on the armoured
WZ551
The WZ-551 is a Chinese wheeled infantry fighting vehicle family. The name WZ-551 actually covers two families of vehicles with the official designations in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Type 90 and Type 92. Over 3,000 WZ-551s are in se ...
.
* : Development of Type 90B SPMRL with firepower increased by 25% (50 rounds compared to the original 40 rounds). Incorporate features of Weishi series self-propelled multiple rocket launchers (WS SPMRL) series so that the operating cost and overall life cycle cost for both when most components of PR50 is interchangeable with that of WS series. Also incorporated is a feature originated in Type 90B, which is the adoption of rockets of different ranges, so PR50 has a wide range of 20 km to 40 km.
* : A lightweight and more compact derivative of unguided 122 mm PR50 SPMRL for rapid deployment, with number of tubes reduced by 60% to 40 * from the original 100 of PR50 MLS.
* : A guided version of 122 mm PR50 MLS with primitive cascade inertial terminal guidance, with standard range of 20 to 30 km
* CTL-181A MRL: A Dongfeng Mengshi variants fitted with 122 mm multiple rocket launcher and modular ammunition storage unit.
Former Czechoslovakia
*
RM-70
The RM-70 (''Raketomet vzor 1970'') multiple rocket launcher is a Czechoslovak Army version and heavier variant of the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, providing enhanced performance over its parent area-saturation rocket artillery system th ...
(''122 mm RAKETOMET vz. 70''): In 1972 the Czechoslovak Army introduced its own version of the BM-21 launch vehicle, designated the RM-70. The launcher unit comprises a bank of 40 launch tubes arranged in 4 rows of 10 and it is mounted on an 8x8 10-ton modified
Tatra 813
The Tatra T813 was a truck produced in Czechoslovakia by the Tatra (car), Tatra company. It was produced from 1967 to 1982.Moderní Uźitkové Automobily TATRA kolektiv vývojove konstrukce N.P. Tatra Kopŕivnice 1979 Naśe Vojsko Praha, První vyd ...
truck. Unlike the BM-21, the RM-70 has an armoured cab and enough room behind it to allow for the storage of further 40 rockets. Those rockets can be directly reloaded into launcher at the same time.
** RM-70/85: Modification of RM-70 launch vehicle on unarmored
Tatra 815
The Tatra 815 is a truck family, produced by Czech company Tatra. It uses the traditional tatra concept of rigid backbone tube and swinging half-axles giving independent suspension. The vehicles are available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, 10x8, 10x10, 1 ...
truck.
Poland
* WR-40 "Langusta" ( eng. '' European spiny lobster'') (''wyrzutnia rakietowa'' means rocket launcher): This is a modern Polish version with a new fire control system (with ballistic computer BFC201 and navigation system Sigma 30) and a modified launcher based on the Jelcz P662D.35G-27 6×6 truck, produced by ''Jelcz Komponenty''. The first vehicle entered service on 20 March 2007. Probably about half of all 227 Polish BM-21 launchers will be converted into WR-40 launchers. New, modern types of munition were also developed for the launcher: the range is approximately for fragmentation-HE rockets "Fenix" and for cargo rockets. The Jelcz P662.D.35 truck with lightly armoured cab is also believed to be the base of a Polish
multiple rocket launcher
A multiple rocket launcher (MRL) or multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a type of rocket artillery system that contains multiple launchers which are fixed to a single platform, and shoots its rocket ordnance in a fashion similar to a volle ...
complex, which will possibly be developed in the future.
Egypt
The Egyptians domestically manufacture the rockets Sakr-18 and Sakr-36, with a respective range of and , and the latest Sakr-45 with a superior range of . Rather than a standard HE-Frag round, the Egyptian military prefers a cluster munition, which can be extremely effective against lightly armored equipment and troop concentrations. Both rockets, as well as the original Soviet models of course, are fired by locally manufactured rocket launchers like the RL-21 (copy of BM-11) and RC-21 (copy of BM-21, similar to the Hadid HM20). The Helwan Machine Tools Company also produces portable systems with one, three, four and eight launch tubes.
Gaza Strip
Since 2006
Hamas
Hamas (, ; , ; an acronym of , "Islamic Resistance Movement") is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, militant, and nationalist organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Bri ...
has fired 122 mm Grad rockets, copies made in Iran, and Eastern-bloc versions modified to expand their range into Israel. The rockets were believed to be brought into the
Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip (;The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p.761 "Gaza Strip /'gɑːzə/ a strip of territory under the control of the Palestinian National Authority and Hamas, on the SE Mediterranean coast including the town of Gaza.. ...
via tunnels from Egypt.Israel and Hamas: Conflict in Gaza 2008–2009 . Congressional Research Service. Some of the rockets were of a Chinese Grad variant. Hamas sources said they were pleased by the performance of the Chinese variants of the BM-21 Grad rocket, which demonstrated a far greater range and blast impact than Palestinian-made rockets, as well as Russian-origin Grads or Katyushas.
Hamas have used small man-portable single-tube launchers for rockets in attacks against Israel, designated 122 mm 9P132/BM-21-P. The 122 mm Grad rockets used in Gaza have a range of about , and can reach the Israeli towns of
Ashdod
Ashdod ( he, ''ʾašdōḏ''; ar, أسدود or إسدود ''ʾisdūd'' or '' ʾasdūd'' ; Philistine: 𐤀𐤔𐤃𐤃 *''ʾašdūd'') is the sixth-largest city in Israel. Located in the country's Southern District, it lies on the Mediterran ...
Ofakim
Ofakim ( he, אֳפָקִים ''ʾŎfāqīm'', or אוֹפָקִים ''ʾŌfāqīm'', ''lit.'' "horizons") is a city in the Southern District of Israel, 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) west of Beersheba. It achieved municipal status in 1955. I ...
,
Gedera
Gedera, or less commonly known as Gdera ( he, גְּדֵרָה), is a town in the southern part of the Shfela region in the Central District of Israel founded in 1884. It is south of Rehovot.
In , it had a population of .
History
Gedera ...
,
Kiryat Gat
Kiryat Gat, also spelled Qiryat Gat ( he, קִרְיַת גַּת), is a city in the Southern District of Israel. It lies south of Tel Aviv, north of Beersheba, and from Jerusalem. In it had a population of . The city hosts one of the most a ...
Sderot
Sderot ( he, שְׂדֵרוֹת, , lit. ''Boulevards'', ar, سديروت) is a western Negev city and former development town in the Southern District of Israel. In it had a population of .
Sderot is located less than a mile from Gaza (the c ...
,
Rehovot
Rehovot ( he, רְחוֹבוֹת ''Rəḥōvōt'', ar, رحوڤوت ''Reḥūfūt'') is a city in the Central District of Israel, about south of Tel Aviv. In it had a population of .
Etymology
Israel Belkind, founder of the Bilu movement, ...
,
Kiryat Malachi
Kiryat Malakhi ( he, קִרְיַת מַלְאָכִי, also Qiryat Malakhi or Kiryat Malachi) is a city in the Southern District of Israel, from Ashkelon. In it had a population of . Its jurisdiction is 4,632 dunams (~4.6 km2).
Histor ...
and
Gan Yavne
Gan-Yavne () is a town in central Israel, located adjacent to the city of Ashdod. Gan Yavne was founded in 1931 and achieved local council status in 1950. It lies east of the Tel Aviv–Ashkelon highway, and is bordered to the west by Ashdod, ...
.
They also published a clip claiming device mounted used as a multi-barrel rocket launcher on vehicle used for first time in Gaza. On 7 April 2011, the
Iron Dome
Iron Dome ( he, כִּפַּת בַּרְזֶל, Kippat Barzel) is a mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short- ...
system successfully intercepted a Grad rocket launched from Gaza for the first time. The rockets were launched without their dedicated platforms and by untrained operators which causes very low accuracy. Over 50% of the rockets miss entire cities and over 10% end up hitting the sea.
Ethiopia
The
Homicho Ammunition Engineering Complex Homicho Ammunition Engineering Complex is the part of Metals and Engineering Corporation and is also one of the military production facilities of the Ethiopian Defense Industry Sector. It specializes in producing wide range of ammunition for use b ...
produces the rockets while the Bishoftu Motorization Engineering Complex produces the launching tubes and has converted existing trucks to diesel engine. Bishoftu motorization has also produced a six tube launcher to be mounted on light trucks.
North Korea
* BM-11: North Korean 30-tube version. The tubes are arranged in 2 banks of 15; all rockets can be fired in as little as 15 seconds. The basis for the BM-11 system is an unlicensed copy of the Japanese-manufactured Isuzu HTS12G 2.5 ton truck chassis.
* MRL 122 mm M1977: U.S. DIA code for a system that appears to be a direct copy of the BM-21 "Grad".
* MRL 122 mm M1985: This is a more modern version, based on an Isuzu 6×6 truck and probably with a 40-round reload pack mounted between the cab and the launcher.
Iran
D.I.O.
''Sâzmân-e Sanâye'-e Defâ'-e Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Iran''
, type = State-owned company
, location =
, industry = Defense
, predecessor =
, foundation =
, founder =
, hq_location_city = Tehran
, hq_location_country = Iran
, num_ ...
from Iran produces copies of the BM-11 and BM-21 systems that can fire the original Soviet rockets as well as the locally developed "
Arash
Arash the Archer ( fa, آرش کمانگیر ''Āraš-e Kamāngīr'') is a heroic archer-figure of Iranian mythology.
According to Iranian folklore, the boundary between Iran and Turan was set by an arrow launched by Arash, after he put his own ...
" with a range of . There is also a rocket with a range of .
* HM20: This is the Iranian version of the BM-21, mounted on a Mercedes-Benz 2624 6×6 truck. The launch pack however consists of 2 packs of 20 tubes. Reportedly there is also a version with an automatic reload-system, latest version is mounted on 6×6 MAN trucks.
* HM23: Lighter 16-round version with two packs of 8 launch tubes.
* HMxx: Iranian version of the 30-round BM-11, based on a Mercedes-Benz LA 911B 4x4 truck. Some vehicles are equipped with a light hydraulic crane.
Iraq
Various 122mm-type rockets were deployed by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, modified to deliver
nerve agent
Nerve agents, sometimes also called nerve gases, are a class of organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by the blocking of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that ...
s to targets. This included the 40-inch long, domestically produced Grad MLRS-compatible "Borak" warhead designed to disperse
sarin
Sarin (NATO designation GB G-series, "B"">Nerve_agent#G-series.html" ;"title="hort for Nerve agent#G-series">G-series, "B" is an extremely toxic synthetic organophosphorus compound.
* KRL 122:
Kahuta Research Laboratories
The Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories, ( ur, ) or KRL for short, is a federally funded, multi-program national research institute and national laboratory site primarily dedicated to uranium enrichment, supercomputing and fluid mechanics. It ...
from Pakistan have developed a rocket launcher based on the BM-21 Grad. The KRL 122 was originally based on an Isuzu truck but later models use the Reo M35 truck. Some sources mention the designator Gadab. In addition to the original Soviet rockets, the system can launch the "Yarmuk" rocket developed by Pakistan Ordnance Factories. The KRL 122 has achieved a maximum range of over 40 km due to the use of upgraded 122 mm rockets.
Romania
* ( – rocket launcher): Romanian 21-round launcher (3 rows of 7) mounted on a Bucegi SR-114 4x4 chassis. No longer used by the Romanian Army but some vehicles have been exported to
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
and
Croatia
, image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
, anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, capit ...
.
Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to ...
has the launch pack mounted on a Kaiser M35 truck.
* : Initially this designator was used for the original BM-21 "Grad" in Romanian service, but Aerostar SA has developed an improved model, based on a DAC-665T 6x6 truck. A slightly improved model, called APRA-40 or 40 APRA 122 FMC is based on the DAC 15.215 DFAEG truck. Each launcher is normally accompanied by a re-supply truck MITC with a 6t crane and a trailer RM13. The system is also used by
Botswana
Botswana (, ), officially the Republic of Botswana ( tn, Lefatshe la Botswana, label=Setswana, ), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory being the Kalahar ...
,
Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and He ...
,
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
,
Croatia
, image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
, anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, capit ...
,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
,
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
,
Liberia
Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean ...
and
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
.
**
LAROM
The LAROM is a Romanian native-made, highly mobile, multiple rocket launcher, attached to a DAC-25.360 6x6 truck, in service with the Romanian Land Forces, built in collaboration with Israel. Currently there are 54 systems in service, all opera ...
or LAROM 160: This is an upgraded version that was developed in cooperation with Israel. The launch vehicle is based on the truck chassis DAC 25.360 DFAEG, fitted with two launch packs with each 20 122 mm tubes or 13 160 mm tubes. The LAROM 160 can fire rockets like the LAR Mk.IV with a range of . The system entered service with the Romanian Land Forces in 2002.
Serbia
*
LRSVM Morava
The LRSVM Morava ( sr, Лансер Ракета Самоходни Вишецевни Модуларни (ЛРСВМ) Морава, Lanser Raketa Samohodni Višecevni Modularni (LRSVM) Morava) is a modular, multi-calibre, multi-pod self-propelle ...
: Universal modular MLRS with possibilities to use all models of Grad 122 mm rockets, both with
M-77 Oganj
The M-77 Oganj is a 128mm Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia. NATO designation is the YMRL-32.
Development
Development started in 1968. Pro ...
and
M-63 Plamen
M-63 Plamen ( sr, Пламен; "flame") is a 128mm multiple rocket launcher developed in 1963 in Yugoslavia for use in the Yugoslav People's Army.
Development
Serbian Prof. Obrad Vučurović, mechanical engineer at the Military Technical Instit ...
128 mm rockets too.
* G-2000: Produced by EdePro, G-2000 122 mm missile is with range above 40 km.
South Africa
*
Valkiri
The Valkiri is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, and fire control equipment developed by Armscor (South Africa), Armscor. Contemporary models consist of a single launch m ...
: This is a South African design based on Grad 21a
Unimog
The Unimog (, ) is a range of multi-purpose tractors, trucks and lorries that has been produced by Boehringer from 1948 until 1951, and by Daimler Truck (formerly Daimler-Benz, DaimlerChrysler and Daimler AG) since 1951. In the United States and ...
truck chassis by
Denel
Denel SOC Ltd is a South African state-owned aerospace and military technology conglomerate established in 1992. It was created when the manufacturing subsidiaries of Armscor were split off in order for Armscor to become the procurement agency ...
using 127 mm rockets.
*
Bateleur
The bateleur (; ''Terathopius ecaudatus'') is a medium-sized eagle in the family Accipitridae. It is often considered a relative of the snake eagles and, like them, it is classified within the subfamily Circaetinae.Kemp, A. C., G. M. Kirwan, an ...
: A newer, more accurate version of the Valkiri. Based on the Withings (White Stallion) military recovery truck chassis. Also produced by Denel it was used against the Ethiopian regime in the war of Ogaden 1977.
Thailand
* DTI-2: The 122 mm multiple rocket launcher by Defense Technology Institute.
Croatia
*LRSV-122 M-96 "Tajfun" (''samovozni višecijevni lanser raketa''): Modified version of
M-77 Oganj
The M-77 Oganj is a 128mm Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia. NATO designation is the YMRL-32.
Development
Development started in 1968. Pro ...
with 128mm barrels replaced with 122mm barrels due to lack of missiles in 128mm caliber, in 4 rows of 8 launch tubes for use with Grad calibre rockets placed on unarmoured Tatra T813 truck instead of FAP trucks that were damaged beyond repair. About 4 of such conversions were done on Tatra chassis. Like the
M-77 Oganj
The M-77 Oganj is a 128mm Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia. NATO designation is the YMRL-32.
Development
Development started in 1968. Pro ...
, the launcher and reloading pack are covered by a collapsible awning for protection and camouflage when travelling. Combat weight: 23.5 t. Only a very small number was built.
*LRSV-122 M-92 "Vulkan" (''samovozni višecijevni lanser raketa''): Modified version of
M-77 Oganj
The M-77 Oganj is a 128mm Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia. NATO designation is the YMRL-32.
Development
Development started in 1968. Pro ...
with 128mm barrels replaced with 122mm barrels due to lack of missiles in 128mm caliber, in 4 rows of 8 launch tubes for use with Grad caliber.
Projectiles
The original "GRAD" rocket has a range of about . The first modification called "G-M" increased the range to about , while the second modification "G-2000" further increased the range to about . The latest technology development has allowed new Grad rockets to have 52 km range. The range may also vary due to the type of warhead.
Also Incendiary, Chemical, Illumination, Antipersonnel mines.
Operators
Current operators
*
* : 85 in 1980 and 48
* : 100 in 1980 and 50
* : 47
* : 43
* : 126 BM-21 . Used 9P138.
* : 1 (BM-21) 36 (APR-40)
* : 20 APRA-40
* : 24
* : 5 APR-40
* : 12
* : 80
* : 20
* : 6 and 5 Type-81
*
* : 10
* : 24
* : 6
*
* : 4
* : 18 and mounted on a KAMAZ chassis since 2019
* : 60 BM-21 and 96 BM-11
* : 35
* : 50
**
Tigray Defense Forces
The Tigray Defense Forces ( ti, ሓይልታት ምክልኻል ትግራይ, italic=no; TDF: ሓምት), colloquially ''Tigray Army'' () is a paramilitary rebel group in Tigray. It was founded by distant former generals of Ethiopia in 2020 t ...
* : 34 Soviet-made units on Ural-4320 6x6 chassis known as ''122 RakH 76'' have been phased out of Finnish service, Finland continues to use 36 Ex-GDRRM-70/85s under the designation ''122 RakH 89''.
* : 13
* : 240 upgraded BM-21/LRARs
* : 100+ BM-21 and 7 BM-11
* : BM-21 and 9P138.
**
Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan or Southern Kurdistan ( ku, باشووری کوردستان, Başûrê Kurdistanê) refers to the Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq. It is considered one of the four parts of "Kurdistan" in Western Asia, which also incl ...
* : 58
* : 100 in service and 100 in store
* : 5
* : 15
* : Paraded in January 2019.
* : 11
**
*
* : 6
* : 18 in 2012, more than 30 in 2016 according to the Military Balance
* : 14
** : 20+
* : 130
* : 36 in 1980 and 35
* : 12
* : 230 9P138 "Grad-1" which are upgraded with MAM-01's turrets and rocket launchers,20 Chinese Type-81 and 90 Type-90B in service.
* : 5
* : 18 BM-21 and 100 BM-21P single-tube rocket launchers
* : 25 APR-21
*
* : 938 as of 2021.
* : Hamas and other militants (including Iranian made 20 km range and Chinese 40 km range Grad variants)
*
People's Defense Units
The People's Defense Units (YPG), (YPG) ; ar, وحدات حماية الشعب, Waḥdāt Ḥimāyat aš-Šaʽb) also called People's Protection Units, is a mainly-Kurdish militia in Syria and the primary component of the Syrian Democr ...
(YPG): one
* : 22
* : 250 in 1980 and 75 . In 2018 unknown quantity RM-70 and BM-21 Grads sold to Czech Republic and many donated to North African countries (Libya ?). 93 in 2020. It will be replaced by M142 HIMARS.
* : 135 APR-40 (54 being upgraded to
LAROM
The LAROM is a Romanian native-made, highly mobile, multiple rocket launcher, attached to a DAC-25.360 6x6 truck, in service with the Romanian Land Forces, built in collaboration with Israel. Currently there are 54 systems in service, all opera ...
), 6 BM-21 on boats
* : 982; rockets with the expired term using for training 9F839-1 Bobr. 2,500 (1,700 of them in storage) as of 2012 (Military Balance
International Institute for Strategic Studies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a British research institute or think tank in the area of international affairs. Since 1997, its headquarters have been Arundel House in London, England.
The 2017 Global Go To Think T ...
2012). 70 modernized Grad-M units were delivered in 2016. 18 more in 2020.
* : 8 Grad-U
* : 348
*
**
*
* : 120
*
* : 3
* : 58
* : 70 Also used 9P138.
* : 185 BM-21s . Also used 9P138.
**
Russian separatist forces in Donbas
The Donetsk People's Militia and Luhansk People's Militia (formerly also called Russian separatist forces in Donbas) are pro-Russian paramilitaries in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which have been fighting the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ...
* : 31
* : 72 units, passed on to the successor state.
* : 40 in service in 1980.
*
* : Passed on to successor states.
* : 65+, supplied in 1979
*
* : Passed on to successor states.
*
Evaluation only
* : 75
See also
* Katyusha, BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31 multiple rocket launchers of World War II
*
BM-14
The BM-14 (BM for ''Boyevaya Mashina'', 'combat vehicle'), is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), normally mounted on a truck.
The BM-14 can fire 140 mm M-14 rockets with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, a smoke warh ...
140 mm multiple rocket launcher
*
BM-27 Uragan
The BM-27 Uragan (russian: БМ-27 Ураган, lit=Hurricane; GRAU index 9P140) is a self-propelled 220 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, and wa ...
220 mm multiple rocket launcher
*
BM-30 Smerch
The BM-30 ''Smerch'' ( rus, Смерч, "tornado", "whirlwind"), 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armore ...
9A52-4 Tornado
The Tornado is a family of related multiple rocket launchers developed by NPO Splav for the Russian Ground Forces. Variants of the system, which include the Tornado-G and Tornado-S models, have different capabilities and different battlefield role ...
variable caliber multiple rocket launcher and successor to the BM-21, BM-27, and BM-30
*
ASTROS II
Astros II (Artillery Saturation Rocket System) is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher produced in Brazil by the Avibras company. It features modular design and employs rockets with calibers ranging from 127 to 450 mm (5–17.72 inche ...
T-122 Sakarya
The T-122 Sakarya is a Turkish multiple launch rocket system developed by ROKETSAN.
Overview
As part of the modernization drive undertaken by the Turkish Military in the 1980s and 90s several new rocket systems were developed for the needs o ...