Multiple launch rocket systems RM-70 for Ukraine
Fighting vehicle RM-70 of the Czech army
In mid-April, the Czech Republic handed over two dozen RM-70 multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine. After the required preparation and training of personnel, this technique has recently reached the front line. With its help, the Ukrainian army plans to make up for a small part of the losses, as well as slightly increase the overall firepower of the army. However, a number of objective factors do not allow her to count on outstanding results.
Shipment from storage
Since the end of February, the Czech Republic has been providing military-technical assistance to Ukraine. At first, she supplied only small arms weapon and a wide range of ammunition from the presence and storage of our own army. Later it came to the transfer of military equipment, incl. rocket artillery combat vehicles.
In mid-April, it became known that the Czech side sent two dozen RM-70 MLRS to Ukraine. The machines of the old Czechoslovak production were removed from storage and, after some preparation, sent to the recipient. The necessary ammunition was also supplied. It was reported about plans to retrain Ukrainian personnel to work on new equipment.
Mastering the technique and preparing for future combat work took several weeks. Only on May 10-12 did the first evidence of the appearance of the RM-70 MLRS near the combat zone appear. So, from the Ukrainian side, a video was published showing the passage of a combat vehicle with a covered launcher. The exact date and location of the shooting is unknown.
MLRS during transportation to Ukraine
Later, the combat use of new technology began. The first videos showing the firing of the RM-70 appeared on specialized resources on May 22. The equipment got to the front, which means that soon there will be news about its destruction or taking as a trophy.
However, practice shows that all this is a matter of time. If a Ukrainian combat vehicle appeared near the front line, its fate is predetermined. News about the reduction in the number of "new" Ukrainian MLRS can come at any time.
Czechoslovak rocket launcher
The product RM-70 (Raketomet vzor 1970) is a Czechoslovak version of the Soviet MLRS BM-21 Grad and is unified with it in terms of key components. Development of "Rocket launcher arr. 1970" was carried out at the turn of the sixties and seventies. In 1971, the system was put into service, and the following year it was shown publicly for the first time.
During the seventies, Czechoslovakia produced several hundred new MLRS for its army. With their help, it was possible to completely replace the old types of equipment and bring rocket artillery to the required level. The only export contract came from the GDR. Its army acquired more than 260 combat vehicles and a large number of rockets.
During the collapse of Czechoslovakia, cash RM-70s, like other military equipment, were divided between the armed forces of the two new states. At the same time, both countries decided to reduce the MLRS fleet, and sell the released vehicles abroad. United Germany generally abandoned such equipment and completely sold it. As a result of these processes, almost two dozen new operating countries appeared in Asia, Africa and South America.
The Czech Republic continued to use its RM-70s until 2011. Then the remaining vehicles in the amount of 60 units. scrapped and put into storage. It was supposed to find a customer and profitably sell them. This problem has been partially solved just now. 20 multiple launch rocket systems were removed from storage and sent to Ukraine as an aid. It cannot be ruled out that other MLRS in storage will soon be disposed of in the same way.
Variant "Grad"
From a technical point of view, the RM-70 MLRS is a variant of the Soviet BM-21, made using Czechoslovak-made components. This approach to design and production made it possible to obtain an advantageous combination of combat and operational characteristics.
RM-70 in combat area
The Czechoslovak version of the "Grad" was made on the chassis of its own production Tatra T813 Kolos. This is a four-axle vehicle with a 250 hp engine. and all-wheel drive. It is capable of speeds up to 85 km / h and move both on the highway and off-road.
For the RM-70, an original armored cab with anti-bullet/anti-fragmentation protection was developed. Other units of armor do not have. A machine gun was installed on the upper hatch of the cabin for self-defense.
The RM-70 launcher was borrowed unchanged from the BM-21. It is a turntable with manual guidance mechanisms and a package of 40 guides. Standard Soviet-designed 122-mm rockets are used with a firing range of up to 20 km. The fire control system was also taken from Grad.
The relatively long chassis made it possible to place an original device for transporting and loading 40 additional shells between the cockpit and the launcher. With the help of its own hydraulic drives, it provides reloading of the launcher after a volley.
Czech MLRS on dynamic display
Since the eighties, the Czechoslovak and Czech industries have offered various options for refining and modernizing the existing MLRS. It was planned to use new chassis, such as T815 of different versions, new cabs were installed, incl. unarmored. Automation of various processes was carried out, the fire control system was being finalized. The range of ammunition was expanded, for example, due to remote mining projectiles.
Opportunities and risks
The Czech Republic has long removed its RM-70s from service and has now found a way to get rid of such equipment in storage - some of the vehicles have been transferred to the Ukrainian army. These MLRS are quite capable of partially solving some of the problems of Ukraine and giving it some opportunities. However, along with them, the Ukrainian formations get a number of problems, the need to solve which worsens the already not the best situation.
The main advantage of 20 RM-70 machines in the current situation is the very fact of their availability. They allow at least partially replenish the losses of recent months. At the same time, the resulting equipment can use the available ammunition and, in terms of its main combat characteristics, does not differ from the available Grads. This simplifies the organization of combat work and the solution of tasks.
RM-70s of all versions were built on the Tatra brand chassis with their own characteristics and maintenance requirements. This leads to the disunification of equipment and makes it difficult to operate it together with other samples. In addition, the delivered MLRS are at least 30-35 years old, which further complicates their operation.
RM-70 Vampire 4D - the latest modification of the MLRS
The combat qualities of the Czechoslovak MLRS in the modern conflict also raise questions. In terms of characteristics and capabilities, the RM-70 practically does not differ from the BM-21. This means that in terms of range and accuracy of fire, such a system is inferior to modern models. In addition, its shells can be intercepted by modern air defense.
The survivability and stability of RM-70 products in the current situation is also in question. The Russian army has the ability to detect any enemy MLRS on the march, in position or during firing. In all cases, intelligence will be passed on to fire weapons, followed by a preemptive or retaliatory strike. A large number of Ukrainian multiple launch rocket systems have already been destroyed in this way, and the "novelties" from the Czech Republic will not be an exception.
Problem Help
In general, the supply of two dozen Czech MLRS RM-70 has almost no practical meaning. This technique will not give the Ukrainian army any advantages and does not even allow compensating for the losses incurred earlier. At the same time, it can become a fairly easy target for the Russian aviation or artillery, and the destruction of 20 combat vehicles will not take much time.
Thus, the April delivery of Czech multiple launch rocket systems differs little from other approximately foreign military-technical assistance. Ukraine receives not the newest and most effective samples, and most often in limited quantities. Such assistance minimally helps the Ukrainian army - but allows foreign countries to solve their own problems.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Telegram / ChDambiev, Wikimedia Commons
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