BM-21 Grad

The BM-21 Grad is a multiple rocket launcher system developed by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. It fires 122 mm rockets and is mounted on a heavy truck chassis, such as the Ural-375D and later Ural-4320. The name 'Grad' is Russian for 'hail'.

The most common variant carries 40 rockets on a rotating platform. A single vehicle can fire all 40 rockets in under a minute, after which it must be reloaded, a process requiring several minutes when done manually. Military doctrine calls for firing and then rapidly relocating the vehicle to evade counterbattery fire.

Technical specifications

The BM-21 rockets are unguided, making them area weapons rather than precision instruments. The original rockets have a range of approximately 20 kilometers, while later variants achieve greater distances. Warhead types include standard high explosive, fragmentation, smoke, and mine-laying rounds.

Distribution and variants

The BM-21 became one of the most widely distributed rocket launcher systems in the world. It has been supplied to hundreds of military forces and has been manufactured or produced under license in many countries, including China, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan. Smaller variants with fewer tubes exist for use on lighter vehicles, suited for mountainous terrain or light forces.

Combat use

Since the 1960s, the BM-21 has seen use in numerous conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, including interstate wars and internal conflicts. Its low cost, ease of operation, and ammunition availability have led to adoption by both official military forces and armed non-state groups.