New Highly Mobile MLRS to Launch Guided Rockets, Glider Munitions Under Development in Russia

Russia’s Tactical Missile Corporation (KTRV) is developing an all-new Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) that is highly mobile besides can launch guided rockets and glider munitions.

This information was revealed when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergei Shoigu heard a report by Boris Obnosov, CEO of KTRV on current and future projects of the Corporation on Wednesday, the Russian MoD said today.

It was reported in June 2023 that Russian arms factories are working on creation of a new 300mm MLRS system called ‘Sarma’  with increased mobility.  Current Russian MLRS include the long range MLRS, Smerch and the 122m rocket launcher, Grad.

No details of the new system have been revealed. The stress on high mobility may be a fall-out of the Ukrainian conflict where MLRS systems need to scoot as soon as they fire to prevent counter-artillery radars from spotting them.

Another addition to the new system is the ability to launch glider munitions- bombs that glide to their targets once launched and reach their height from where they begin their descent. Glider munitions have been found to be effective in top-down attacks on a column of advancing tanks and armored vehicles.

Boris Obnosov also said in his report that the production of precision weapons (missiles) had been increased to twice the levels of last year and in some specific weapon systems, up to five times.