Documents
Russia Splav
BM-21 Grad
A truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher firing 40 unguided rockets in rapid succession, one of the most widely proliferated artillery systems in the world. It remains in front-line Russian and export service more than six decades after introduction.
In service since 1963 · 60 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
75
km/h
750
km range
122
mm gun
13,700
kg
Pricing: No public modern unit cost; legacy mass production
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 60 operators
In service since 1963. Status: active · ~10,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 75 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 750 km |
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 40 rpm |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 40-tube 122 mm rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 122 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 40 |
| Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. | 20 km |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 13,700 kg |
|---|---|
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 3 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | Ural-4320 truck chassis diesel |
|---|---|
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Diesel |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 10,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 60 |
Specifications compiled from public Splav and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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DANA Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Splav BM-21 Grad? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad has a maximum speed of 75 km/h.
What is the range of the Splav BM-21 Grad? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad has a maximum range of 750 km.
How much does the Splav BM-21 Grad weigh? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad has a combat weight of 13,700 kg.
How many crew does the Splav BM-21 Grad require? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad requires a crew of 3.
What is the main armament of the Splav BM-21 Grad? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad's primary weapon is the 40-tube 122 mm rocket launcher.
What engine does the Splav BM-21 Grad use? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad is powered by the Ural-4320 truck chassis diesel.
What is the Splav BM-21 Grad used for? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad is a artillery & mlrs typically used for deep strike.
How many countries operate the Splav BM-21 Grad? +
The Splav BM-21 Grad is operated by 60 countries.
How much does the Splav BM-21 Grad cost? +
Splav BM-21 Grad: No public modern unit cost; legacy mass production. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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Related coverage
BM-21 Grad in the news
Article guide · Aug 4, 2026
155mm Dominates Artillery Calibers, Not Interoperability
155mm arms 21 of 33 gun and mortar platforms in our database, more non-NATO countries than NATO ones, yet the caliber still isn't one true standard.
Article guide · Jul 18, 2026
What 'Rate of Fire' Means on an Artillery Spec Sheet
BM-21 Grad publishes the highest rate of fire in our artillery database: 40 rounds a minute. Averaged over its own reload cycle, it's closer to 4.