BM-21 Grad
The BM-21 "Grad" (Russian: БМ-21 "Град", lit. 'hail') is a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher.[10] The weapons system and the M-21OF rocket[11] were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the Sino-Soviet border conflict.[12] BM stands for boyevaya mashina (Russian: боевая машина – combat vehicle), and the nickname grad means "hail". 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 countries the system (either the complete system or the launch vehicle only) was initially known as M1964. Several other countries have copied the Grad or have developed similar systems.
BM-21 "Grad" | |
---|---|
A Russian BM-21-1 on display in Saint Petersburg in May 2009 | |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1963–present |
Used by | See Operators |
Wars | Sino-Soviet border conflict[1] Vietnam War[2] Lebanese Civil War[3] Western Sahara War Angolan Civil War South African Border War Uganda–Tanzania War[4] Cambodian–Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese War Iran–Iraq War Soviet–Afghan War[5] Second Sudanese Civil War[6] Gulf War Nagorno-Karabakh War Yugoslav Wars First Chechen War[1] 1995 Cenepa War 1999 Kargil War[7] Second Chechen War[1] Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel Russo-Georgian War Cambodian–Thai border dispute Libyan Civil War (2011) Syrian Civil War[1] Northern Mali conflict War in Donbass[8] Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)[9] Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes |
Production history | |
Designer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
Designed | 1963 |
Manufacturer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
Produced | 1963–present |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications (9K51) | |
Mass | 13.71 tonnes (30,225 lb) |
Length | 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in) |
Barrel length | 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) |
Width | 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) |
Height | 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in) |
Crew | 3 |
Barrels | 40 |
Rate of fire | 2 rounds/s |
Muzzle velocity | 690 m/s (2,264 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 20 km (12 mi) (new rockets 30–45 km) |
Sights | PG-1M panoramic telescope |
Engine | V-8 gasoline ZiL-375 180 hp (130 kW) |
Suspension | 6×6 wheeled |
Operational range | 405 km (251 mi) |
Maximum speed | 75 km/h (47 mph) |
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 system. The launch vehicle consists of a Ural-375D six-by-six 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 V-8 180 hp gasoline engine, has a maximum road speed of 75 km/h (47 mph), road range of up to 750 kilometers (470 mi), and can cross fords up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) deep. The original vehicle together with supporting equipment (including the re-supply truck 9T254 with 60 rockets) is referred to by the GRAU index "9K51"; the launcher itself has the industrial index of "2B5". In 1976, the BM-21 was mounted on the newer Ural-4320 six-by-six 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 64-meter (210 ft) cable. All 40 rockets can be away in as little as 20 seconds, but can also be fired individually or in small groups in several-second intervals. A PG-1M panoramic telescope with K-1 collimator can be used for sighting. The BM-21 can be packed up and ready to move in two minutes, which can be necessary when engaged by counter-battery fire. Reloading is done manually and takes about 10 minutes.
Each 2.87-meter (9 ft 5 in) 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 20 kilometers (12 mi). Newer high explosive and cargo (used to deliver anti-personnel or antitank mines) rockets have a range of 30 kilometers (19 mi) and more. Warheads weigh around 20 kilograms (44 lb), 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 typical 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. Nonetheless, because of the short warning time for the impact of the whole volley, the BM-21 is still considered an effective weapon.
Variants
Soviet Union and Russia
- BM-21: Original version known as the BM-21 launch vehicle. The launcher unit was mounted on a modified Ural-375D truck chassis.
- BM-21-1: Launch vehicles are mounted on a family of Ural-4320 truck chassis.
- 2B17 or also BM-21-1: This upgrade was presented for the first time in 2003 and was developed by Motovilikha Plants 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 40 km (25 mi). The truck is the Ural-43201.
- 9P138 "Grad-1": lighter 36-round version, mounted on a six-by-six ZIL-131 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 15 km (9.3 mi). It used to be known in the West as BM-21b or M1976.
- BM-21V "Grad-V" (Vozdushnodesantiy – 'airborne') (NATO designation M1975): Developed for Soviet airborne troops in 1969. A GAZ-66B four-by-four 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 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 9P132 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.[13] It was not accepted for regular service with the Russian Army, but it was and is still popular with paramilitary 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": 22-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.[14]
Adaptations of the launcher were/are produced by several countries including China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Poland and Romania.
Belarus
- BM-21A "BelGrad": This is a modernized version, based on a MAZ-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
Georgia
- RS-122 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 to STANAG level 2 or higher. The 40 tube launcher is fitted with a pin point target system and has a maximum firing distance of 45 km depending on ammunition, that guarantees 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, so that the time between salvos is heavily decreased. However the traditional external setup is also available. An entire barrage is fired in less than 20 seconds. The general purpose platform can also be used for more sophisticated rocket systems.[16][17]
People's Republic of China
- Type 81 SPRL: The People's Republic of China produces the Type 81, which was copied from Russian BM-21s captured in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. 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 SX2150 six-by-six truck, which unlike the original Russian version, has a cab protected by blast shields.
- Type 83 SPRL: 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 8,700 kilograms (19,200 lb) and can also be used as part of the mine-laying rocket system Type 84. Currently new rockets with ranges between 30 and 40 km (19 and 25 mi) are being developed.
- Type 89 TSPRL: 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 29.9 short tons (27.1 metric tons) and carries 40 spare rockets. Its current PLA designator is PHZ89.
- Type 90 SPRL: 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 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.
- Type 90A: 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.
- Type 90B: 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.
- PR50 SPMRL: 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.
- WS-6 SPMRL: A light weight 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.
- WS-22 SPMRL: A guided version of 122 mm PR50 MLS with primitive cascade inertial terminal guidance, with standard range of 20 to 30 km
Former Czechoslovakia
- RM-70 (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 eight-by-eight 10-ton modified Tatra T813 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 T815 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.[18] 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 42 km (26 mi) for fragmentation-HE rockets "Fenix" and 32 km (20 mi) 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 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 18 km (11 mi) and 36 km (22 mi), and the latest Sakr-45 with a superior range of 45 km (28 mi). Rather than a standard HE-Frag round, the Egyptian military prefers a 23-kilogram (51 lb) 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.
Palestine and the Gaza Strip
Since 2006 Hamas has fired 122 mm Grad rockets, copies made in Iran, and Eastern-bloc versions modified to expand their range and lethality, into Israel.[19] The rockets were believed to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip via tunnels from Egypt.[19] Some of the rockets were of a Chinese Grad variant.[20] 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.[20][21]
Hamas have used small man-portable single-tube launchers for rockets in attacks against Israel, designated 122 mm 9P132/BM-21-P.[22] The 122 mm Grad rockets used in Gaza have a range of about 40 km (25 mi), and can reach the Israeli towns of Ashdod, Beer-Sheva, Ofakim, Gedera, Kiryat Gat, Ashqelon, Sderot, Rehovot, Kiryat Malachi and Gan Yavne. The Islamic Jihad also published a clip claiming device mounted used as a multi-barrel rocket launcher on vehicle used for first time in Gaza.[23] On 7 April 2011, the Iron Dome 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.[24]
Ethiopia
The Homicho Ammunition Engineering Complex 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 a Japanese manufactured Isuzu 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. 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" with a range of 20.5 km (12.7 mi). There is also a rocket with a range of 75 km (47 mi).
- 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.[25]
- 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 agents to targets. This included the 40-inch long, domestically produced Grad MLRS-compatible "Borak" warhead designed to disperse sarin gas.[26]
Pakistan
- KRL 122 – Kahuta Research Laboratories from Pakistan have developed a rocket launcher that is very similar to the North-Korean BM-11. 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.[27][28]
Romania
- APR-21 (aruncător de proiectile reactive – rocket launcher): Romanian 21-round launcher (3 rows of 7) mounted on a Bucegi SR-114 four-by-four chassis. No longer used by the Romanian Army but some vehicles have been exported to Nigeria and Croatia. Morocco has the launch pack mounted on a Kaiser M35 truck.
- APR-40: 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 six-by-six 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, Bosnia, Cameroon, Croatia, Iran, Iraq, Liberia and Nigeria.
- LAROM 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.[29] The LAROM 160 can fire rockets like the LAR Mk.IV with a range of 45 km (28 mi). The system entered service with the Romanian Land Forces in 2002.[30]
Serbia
- LRSVM Morava: Universal modular MLRS with possibilities to use all models of Grad 122 mm rockets, both with M-77 Oganj and M-63 Plamen 128 mm rockets too.
- G-2000: Produced by EdePro, G-2000 122 mm missile is with range above 40 km.[31]
South Africa
Thailand
- DTI-2:The 122 mm Multiple rocket launcher by Defense Technology Institute.[32]
Croatia
- LRSV-122 M-96 "Tajfun" (samovozni višecijevni lanser raketa) - Modified version of M-77 Oganj with 128mm barrels due to lack of missiles in 128mm caliber replaced with 122mm barrels in 4 rows of 8 launch tubes for use with Grad caliber rockets placed on unarmoured Tatra T813 truck instead of FAP truck that where damaged beyond repair. About 4 of such conversion is done on Tatra chassis. Like the M-77 Oganj, the launcher and reloading pack are covered by a collapsible awning for protection and camouflage when traveling. 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 with 128mm barrels due to lack of missiles in 128mm caliber replaced with 122mm barrels in 4 rows of 8 launch tubes for use with Grad caliber.[33]
Projectiles
The original "GRAD" rocket has a range of about 20 kilometers (12 mi). The first modification called "G-M" increased the range to about 27.5 kilometers (17.1 mi), while the second modification "G-2000" further increased the range to about 40 kilometers (25 mi).[34] The latest technology development has allowed new Grad rockets to have 52 km range.[35] The range may also vary due to the type of warhead.
Origin | Ammunition type | Minimum range | Maximum range | Length | Weight | Warhead weight | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
metres | miles | metres | miles | metres | ft in | kg | lb | kg | lb | |||
9M22U (M-21OF) | USSR/Russia | Fragmentation-HE | 5,000 | 3.1 | 20,380 | 12.66 | 2.87 | 9 ft 5 in | 66.6 | 147 | 18.4 | 41 |
9M28F | USSR/Russia | Fragmentation-HE | 1,500 | 0.93 | 15,000 | 9.3 | 2.27 | 7 ft 5 in | 56.5 | 125 | 21.0 | 46.3 |
9M28K | USSR/Russia | Anti-tank mines | 13,400 | 8.3 | 3.04 | 10 ft 0 in | 57.7 | 127 | 22.8 | 50 | ||
9M43 | USSR/Russia | Smoke | 20,000 | 12 | 2.95 | 9 ft 8 in | 66 | 146 | 20.2 | 45 | ||
9M217 | USSR/Russia | Anti-tank submunitions | 30,000 | 19 | 3.04 | 10 ft 0 in | 70 | 150 | 25 | 55 | ||
9M218 | USSR/Russia | HEAT submunitions | 30,000 | 19 | 3.04 | 10 ft 0 in | 70 | 150 | 25 | 55 | ||
9M519 | USSR/Russia | RF jammer | 18,500 | 11.5 | 3.04 | 10 ft 0 in | 66 | 146 | 18.4 | 41 | ||
9M521 | USSR/Russia | Fragmentation-HE | 40,000 | 25 | 2.87 | 9 ft 5 in | 66 | 146 | 21 | 46 | ||
9M522 | USSR/Russia | Fragmentation-HE | 37,500 | 23.3 | 3.04 | 10 ft 0 in | 70 | 150 | 25 | 55 | ||
PRC-60 | USSR/Russia | Underwater charge (for BM-21PD) | 300 | 0.19 | 5,000 | 3.1 | 2.75 | 9 ft 0 in | 75.3 | 166 | 20 | 44 |
Type 90A | China | Fragmentation-HE | 12,700 | 7.9 | 32,700 | 20.3 | 2.75 | 9 ft 0 in | 18.3 | 40 | ||
M21-OF-FP | Romania | Fragmentation-HE | 5,000–6,000 | 3.1–3.7 | 20,400 | 12.7 | 2.87 | 9 ft 5 in | 65.4 | 144 | 6.35 | 14.0 |
M21-OF-S | Romania | Fragmentation-HE | 1,000 | 0.62 | 12,700 | 7.9 | 1.927 | 6 ft 3.9 in | 46.6 | 103 | 6.35 | 14.0 |
Edepro G2000/52 | Serbia | Fragmentation-HE | 52,000 | 32 | 2.862 | 9 ft 4.7 in | 64.4 | 142 | 19.0 | 41.9 | ||
Sakr-45A | Egypt | AT / AP submunitions | 42,000 | 26 | 3.310 | 10 ft 10.3 in | 67.5 | 149 | 24.5 | 54 | ||
Sakr-45B | Egypt | Fragmentation-HE | 45,000 | 28 | 2.900 | 9 ft 6.2 in | 63.5 | 140 | 20.5 | 45 |
Also Incendiary, Chemical, Illumination, Antipersonnel mines.
Operators
Current operators
Afghanistan[5] Algeria: 85 in 1980[36] and 48 as of 2016[37] Angola: 100 in 1980[38] and 50 as of 2016[39] Armenia: 47 as of 2016[40] Azerbaijan: 43 as of 2016[41] Belarus: 126 BM-21 as of 2016.[42] Used 9P138.[43] Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 (BM-21) 36 (APR-40) Bulgaria: 24 as of 2016[44] Burundi: 12 as of 2016[45] Cambodia: 8 as of 2016[46] Cameroon: 20 as of 2016[47] Chad: 6 as of 2016[48] Congo-Brazzaville: 10 as of 2016[49] Congo-Kinshasa: 24 as of 2016[50] Côte d'Ivoire: 6 as of 2016[51] Croatia: 31 as of 2016[52] Cuba as of 2016[53] Cyprus: 4 as of 2016[54] Ecuador: 18 as of 2016[55] and mounted on a KAMAZ chassis since 2019[56] Egypt: 60 BM-21 and 96 BM-11 as of 2016[57] Eritrea: 35 as of 2016[58] Ethiopia: ≈50 as of 2016[59] Georgia: 13 as of 2016[60] India: ≈150 BM-21/LRARs as of 2016[61] Iran: 100+ BM-21 and 7 BM-11 as of 2016[62] Iraq: BM-21[63][64] and 9P138.[43] Kurdistan[65] Israel: 58 as of 2016[66] Kazakhstan: 100 in service and 100 in store as of 2016[67] Kyrgyzstan: 15 as of 2016[68] Laos: Paraded in January 2019.[69] Lebanon: 11 as of 2016[70]
Libya[71][72] Macedonia: 6 as of 2016[73] Mali: 18 in 2012,[74] more than 30 in 2016 according to the Military Balance[75] Moldova: 14 Mongolia: 130 as of 2016[76] Morocco: 36 in 1980[77] and 35 as of 2016[78] Mozambique: 12 as of 2016[79] Myanmar: 230 in service.[80] Namibia: 5 as of 2016[81] Nicaragua: 18 BM-21 and 100 BM-21P single-tube rocket launchers as of 2016[82] Nigeria: 25 APR-21 as of 2016[83] North Korea[84][85] Pakistan: KRL-122[85] Palestine: Hamas and other militants (including Iranian made 20 km range and Chinese 40 km range Grad variants)[19][86][87] Peru: 22 as of 2016[88] Poland: 250 in 1980[89] and 75 as of 2016.[90] In 2018 unknown quantity RM-70 and BM-21 Grads sold to Czech Republic and next donated to North African countries (Libya ?).[91] Qatar: 3 as of 2013[92] Romania: 133 APR-40 (54 being upgraded to LAROM), 6 BM-21 on boats as of 2016[93] Russia: 982;[94] 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 2012). 70 modernized Grad-M units were delivered in 2016.[95][96] 18 more in 2020.[97] Senegal: 8 Grad-U[98] Serbia: 348 Somalia[99] South Sudan[100] Sudan: 120 as of 2016[101] Syria[102] Tajikistan: 3 as of 2016[103] Tanzania: 58 as of 2016[104] Turkmenistan: 70 as of 2016[105] Also used 9P138.[43] Ukraine: 185 BM-21s as of 2016.[106] Also used 9P138.[43] Uganda: 6+ as of 2016[107] Uzbekistan: 36 as of 2016.[108] Used 9P138.[43] Venezuela: 24 as of 2016[109] Vietnam: 350 as of 2016[110] Yemen: 280 Zambia: 30 (≈12 serviceable) as of 2016[111]
Former operators
Finland: 34 units, known as 122 RAKH 76. East Germany : 72 units, passed on to successor states. Hungary: 40 in service in 1980.[112] Islamic State[113] Soviet Union: Passed on to successor states. North Yemen: 65+, supplied in 1979[114] South Yemen[115] Yugoslavia: Passed on to successor states.
Evaluation only
See also
- Katyusha, BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31 multiple rocket launchers of World War II
- BM-14 140 mm multiple rocket launcher
- BM-27 Uragan 220 mm multiple rocket launcher
- BM-30 Smerch 300 mm multiple rocket launcher
- T-122 Sakarya 122 mm rocket launcher
- 9A52-4 Tornado variable caliber multiple rocket launcher and successor to the BM-21, BM-27, and BM-30
- ASTROS II (Brazil)
- Fajr-5 (Iran)
References
- Prenatt 2016, p. 30.
- Zabecki, David T. (May 2011). "Rockets and Rocket Launchers". In Tucker, Spencer C. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History (2 ed.). p. 988. ISBN 978-1-85109-960-3.
The most significant [Soviet rocket] was the 9M22M, one of the Katyusha class of 122-mm rockets.
- Zaloga, Steven J. (2003). Tank battles of the Mid-East Wars (2): The wars of 1973 to the present. Hong Kong: Concord Publications. p. 4. ISBN 962-361-613-9.
- Cooper, Tom; Fontanellaz, Adrien (October 2016). "La guerre du Kagera". Batailles et Blindés (in French). No. 75. Caraktère. pp. 72–81. ISSN 1765-0828.
- Isby, David C. (1990). The War in Afghanistan 1979–1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide. Concord Publications. p. 42. ISBN 978-9623610094.
- "Sudan - Global trade, local impact: Arms Transfers to all Sides in the Civil War in Sudan" (PDF). Human Rights Watch Report. 10 (4): 24. August 1998.
- Singh, Jagjit (2007). "Battle-Winning Role of the Gunners in Kargil War". The Battle-Winning Arm. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 9788176021807.
- Prenatt 2016, pp. 23-24.
- Yemeni fighters have fired at least 16 Grad missiles into Saudi territories. YouTube (20 July 2015). Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- Splav 122 mm BM-21 multiple rocket launcher family (Russian Federation), Multiple rocket launchers, Jane's Armour and Artillery.
- 122 mm BM-21 Grad-series rockets (Russian Federation), Artillery rockets Archived 23 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Jane's Ammunition Handbook
- Prenatt, Jamie (16 June 2016). Katyusha: Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941–Present. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-4728-1087-8.
- "122 mm DKZ-B Rocket Launcher and Stand : Viet Cong". awm.gov.au. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
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External links
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