The Belarusian BM-21A BelGrad MLRS

The Belarusian BM-21A BelGrad MLRS

The BM-21 launch vehicle (Russian: БМ-21 “Град”), a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, which fires the M-21OF rocket, which were developed in the early 1960s.

It was heavily exported and manufactured in WARSAW and Russian Allied nations. One such importer was Belarus. Like many operators, Belarus has gone to upgrade their BM-21’s in an effort to keep this universal launcher in service.

Designated the BM-21A BelGrad MLRS (Belorussian Grad), it was developed in Belarus. and passed trials in 1997. It entered service with the Belarusian Army in 2001. A battery of BelGrads also includes command vehicle and ammunition re-supply vehicles.

The launcher is mounted on the MAZ-6317 6×6 heavy utility truck chassis, which is powered by a TMZ-8424 diesel engine, developing 425 horsepower. The MAZ-6317 chassis is longer than that of the original BM-21, so the vehicle can accommodate a rack of 40 tubes containing spare missiles which can be automatically loaded in to the launcher in less than 2 minutes. It can be reloaded manually within 7 minutes.