BM-21 Grad

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BM-21 "Grad"
Russian BM-21 Grad in Saint Petersburg.JPG
A Russian BM-21-1 on display in Saint Petersburg in May 2009
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1963–present
Used bySee Operators
WarsSino-Soviet border conflict[1]
Vietnam War[2]
Lebanese Civil War[3]
Western Sahara War
Angolan Civil War
Somali Civil War
Ogaden 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
First 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 Donbas[8]
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)[9]
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
Tigray War
Production history
DesignerSplav State Research and Production Enterprise
Designed1963
ManufacturerSplav State Research and Production Enterprise
Produced1963–present
No. built986700+
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications (9K51)
Mass13.71 tonnes (30,225 lb)
Length7.35 m (24 ft 1 in)
Barrel length3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Width2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)
Height3.09 m (10 ft 2 in)
Crew3
Barrels40
Rate of fire2 rounds/s
Muzzle velocity690 m/s (2,264 ft/s)
Maximum firing range20 km (12 mi) (new rockets 30–45 km)
SightsPG-1M panoramic telescope
EngineV-8 gasoline ZiL-375
180 hp (130 kW)
Suspension6×6 wheeled
Operational
range
405 km (251 mi)
Maximum speed 75 km/h (47 mph)

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[by whom?] 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.

Description[]

BM-21-1 launch vehicle during a military parade in Yekaterinburg, 9 May 2009.

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 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. Nonetheless, because of the short warning time for the impact of the whole volley, the BM-21 is still considered an effective weapon.

Variants[]

BM-21 launch vehicle.
9P138 launch vehicle of the Grad-1 multiple rocket launcher system.
BM-21V VDV variant.

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" (Vozdushnodesantniy – '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 single tube launcher system

  • "Grad-P Light portable rocket system": The complete system comprises a  [vi] 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[]

Belarusian 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[]

Ukrainian BM-21 Bastion-1 based on KrAZ-260 chassis
  • : Ukraine also has switched the original Ural-375 truck with gasoline engine for a new truck with diesel engine, the KrAZ-6322-121. Some vehicles have a longer chassis with 40 additional rockets.[15]
  • BM-21 UM Berest

Georgia[]

Georgian RS-122, a heavily upgraded and automated version of the Soviet BM-21 based on the Ukrainian chassis KrAZ-63221
  • 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 of Bangladesh Army.
  • 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 launch vehicle, a Czechoslovak variant with the BM-21 launch vehicle launcher unit.
  • 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, a deeply modernized and automated version, of the Soviet BM-21 based on the Jelcz P662D.35 6x6 truck; displayed at the MSPO 2007.
  • 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.

Gaza Strip[]

Since 2006 Hamas has fired 122 mm Grad rockets, copies made in Iran, and Eastern-bloc versions modified to expand their range into Israel.[19] The rockets were believed to be brought 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. They 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 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. 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 based om the BM-21 Grad.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] The KRL 122 has achieved a maximum range of over 40 km due to the use of upgraded 122 mm rockets.[27][dead link][28][dead link][citation needed]
APRA-40, a Romanian variant of the Grad, and a 6-rocket launcher.

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[]

Serbian LRSVM Morava
  • 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[]

  • Valkiri: This is an improved South African design based on a Unimog truck chassis by Denel using 127 mm rockets.
  • Bateleur: A newer, more accurate version of the Valkiri. Based on the Withings (White Stallion) military recovery truck chassis. Also produced by Denel.

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 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 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-96 "Tajfun
  • 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[]

Map of BM-21 operators in blue with former operators in red
A fired 122mm projectile of a RM-70 multiple rocket launcher stuck in muddy land in Vaharai, Batticaloa during the Sri Lankan Civil War (2007).
Djiboutian Army Rocket Launcher.
BM-21 on display near the Karen Demirchyan Complex, Yerevan, Armenia
Upgraded 9P138 "Grad-1" rocket artillery system of Myanmar Army.

Current operators[]

Somaliland:40

  •  Afghanistan[5]
  •  Algeria: 85 in 1980[36] and 48 as of 2020[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)[citation needed]
  •  Bulgaria: 24 as of 2016[44]
  •  Burundi: 12 as of 2016[45]
  •  Cambodia: 80 as of 2016[46]
  •  Cameroon: 20 as of 2016[47]
  • {{country data Chad}37|flag/core|name=Chad}37|variant=|size=}}
  •  China
  •  Congo-Brazzaville: 10 as of 2016[48]
  •  Congo-Kinshasa: 24 as of 2016[49]
  •  Côte d'Ivoire: 6 as of 2016[50]
  •  Croatia: 31 as of 2016[51]
  •  Cuba as of 2016[52]
  •  Cyprus: 4 as of 2016[53]
  •  Ecuador: 18 as of 2016[54] and mounted on a KAMAZ chassis since 2019[55]
  •  Egypt: 60 BM-21 and 96 BM-11 as of 2016[56]
  •  Eritrea: 35 as of 2016[57]
  •  Ethiopia: 156 as of 2016[58]
  •  Georgia: 13 as of 2016[59]
  •  India: 240 upgraded BM-21/LRARs as of 2016[60]
  •  Iran: 100+ BM-21 and 7 BM-11 as of 2016[61]
  •  Iraq: BM-21[62][63] and 9P138.[43]
  •  Israel: 58 as of 2016[65]
  •  Kazakhstan: 100 in service and 100 in store as of 2016[66]
  •  Kenya: 5
  •  Kyrgyzstan: 15 as of 2016[67]
  •  Laos: Paraded in January 2019.[68]
  •  Lebanon: 11 as of 2016[69]

 Hezbollah[64]

  •  Libya[70][71]
  •  Macedonia: 6 as of 2016[72]
  •  Mali: 18 in 2012,[73] more than 30 in 2016 according to the Military Balance[74]
  •  Moldova: 14[citation needed]
  •  Mongolia: 130 as of 2016[75]
  •  Morocco: 36 in 1980[76] and 35 as of 2016[77]
  •  Mozambique: 12 as of 2016[78]
  •  Myanmar: 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.[79]
  •  Namibia: 5 as of 2016[80]
  •  Nicaragua: 18 BM-21 and 100 BM-21P single-tube rocket launchers as of 2016[81]
  •  Nigeria: 25 APR-21 as of 2016[82]
  •  North Korea[83][84]
  •  Pakistan: 200 KRL-122 In Service[84]
  •  Palestine: Hamas and other militants (including Iranian made 20 km range and Chinese 40 km range Grad variants)[19][85][86]
  •  Peru: 22 as of 2016[87]
  •  Poland: 250 in 1980[88] and 75 as of 2016.[89] In 2018 unknown quantity RM-70 and BM-21 Grads sold to Czech Republic and next donated to North African countries (Libya ?).[90]
  •  Romania: 133 APR-40 (54 being upgraded to LAROM), 6 BM-21 on boats as of 2016[91]
  •  Russia: 982;[92] 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.[93][94] 18 more in 2020.[95]
  •  Senegal: 8 Grad-U[96]
  •  Serbia: 348[citation needed]
  •  Somalia[97]
  •  South Sudan[98]
  •  Sudan: 120 as of 2016[99]
  •  Syria[100]
  •  Tajikistan: 3 as of 2016[101]
  •  Tanzania: 58 as of 2016[102]
  •  Transnistria: 20+ as of 2021[103]
  •  Turkmenistan: 70 as of 2016[104] Also used 9P138.[43]
  •  Ukraine: 185 BM-21s as of 2016.[105] Also used 9P138.[43]
  •  Uganda: 6+ as of 2016[106]
  •  Uzbekistan: 36 as of 2016.[107] Used 9P138.[43]
  •  Venezuela: 24 as of 2016[108]
  •  Vietnam: 350 as of 2016[109]
  •  Yemen: 280[citation needed]
  •  Zambia: 30 (12 serviceable) as of 2016[110]

Former operators[]

  •  Finland[citation needed]: 34 units, known as 122 RakH 76, Finland continues to use 36 Ex-GDR RM-70/85s under the designation 122 RakH 89.
  •  East Germany: 72 units, passed on to the successor state.
  •  Hungary: 40 in service in 1980.[111]
  •  Islamic State[112]
  •  Soviet Union: Passed on to successor states.
  •  North Yemen: 65+, supplied in 1979[113]
  •  South Yemen[114]
  •  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)

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Bibliography[]

External links[]

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