BM-30 Smerch

A heavy 300 mm multiple rocket launcher offering long-range, precision-guided saturation fire well beyond the reach of smaller-caliber systems like the Grad. It equips Russian long-range rocket artillery brigades and multiple export operators.

In service since 1989 · 8 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

km/h

850

km range

300

mm gun

43,700

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: No public unit cost

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Established · 8 operators

In service since 1989. Status: active · ~300 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

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.: 60 km/h

Stronger than 27% of artillery systems
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 850 km

Top 4% of artillery systems
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 12 rpm

Stronger than 86% of artillery systems

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 12-tube 300 mm rocket launcher
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 300 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 12

Stronger than 27% of artillery systems
Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach.: 90 km

Stronger than 79% of artillery systems

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 43,700 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 4

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: MAZ-543M 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.: 300

Stronger than 35% of artillery systems
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 8

Stronger than 69% of artillery systems

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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