German MLRS MARS II for the Ukrainian army
For several weeks in Germany, the possibility of transferring multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine was discussed. By now, this issue has been resolved, and MARS II combat vehicles have been sent to the Ukrainian army. However, the value of such assistance is questionable. The German side shipped only three MLRS, which also have limited combat capabilities.
Discussions and deliveries
Back in the spring, the first reports appeared about a possible transfer to the Kyiv regime of MLRS of American design, such as the M270 MLRS. Germany was mentioned among the potential suppliers of such equipment. In theory, she could provide her existing MARS II products - an upgraded and modified version of the American M270 system.
On June 1, the German publication Der Tagesspiegel reported that the German military-political leadership was ready to send its MLRS to Ukraine. The necessary consultations were held with the United States and its defense enterprises, as a result of which a rough plan of action was developed.
According to Der Tagesspiegel, Germany may transfer to the Ukrainian army four MARS II systems, which are registered with the Bundeswehr. They recently underwent modernization at the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann enterprise and have not yet had time to return to the German formations. Now they were proposed to be included in the next aid package. The transfer of equipment was expected by the end of June.
In mid-June, a regular NATO meeting was held at the German Ramstein airbase, during which a new aid package for Ukraine was formed. As a result of the event, it became known that Germany would indeed allocate its MARS II, but only three such machines would be delivered. The exact dates of their shipment were not named.
In the following weeks, a number of foreign MLRS were delivered to Ukraine, but German equipment was not reported until recently. Only on July 26, the German Ministry of Defense officially announced the transfer of three MARS II, several other artillery systems and ammunition for them. MLRS for delivery were indeed taken at the KMW enterprise, which had previously completed their modernization.
Together with MARS II, other MLRS of the M270 family are sent to Ukraine. So, the UK announced the delivery of several machines of the M270B1 version. Three more installations were allocated by Norway. She will hand over the vehicles to the UK, which will send three additional MLRS from its army to the Kyiv regime.
The first reports are already appearing about the appearance of the M270 MLRS in the combat zone and the use of such weapons. At the same time, MARS II, apparently, have not yet reached the front and have not been used. However, it is already clear that only three combat vehicles of this type will not affect the course of battles or the general situation.
European modification
The MARS II multiple launch rocket system is one of the modern options for the development and modernization of the base M270 MLRS. It has a number of characteristic differences and innovations, due to which a certain increase in combat qualities is ensured. At the same time, there are some restrictions.
In 2005, the United States entered service with an upgraded version of the MLRS under the designation M270A1. This MLRS received a new fire control system that allowed the use of guided missiles of the GMLRS line. Based on the M270A1, new modifications were created. For example, the UK received the M270B1 variant with some specific features.
At the beginning of the tenth years, Germany, France and Italy, represented by KMW, Airbus, etc., made their own version of the MLRS. It entered service with the Bundeswehr under the name MARS II (Mittleres Artillerieraketensystem II), the French army uses the designation LRU (Lance-Roquettes Unitaire), and in Italy the MLRS-I (MLRS Improved) index is used.
The production of MARS II / LRU / MLRS-I was carried out by rebuilding the available M270 products with the replacement of the necessary units. Since the beginning of the last decade, Germany has updated 40 combat vehicles out of 158 available. Italy and France have upgraded their entire MLRS fleet - 22 and 13 units. respectively. Now the list of operators is replenished by the Ukrainian army, but only three such MLRS were allocated to it.
Benefits and Limitations
MLRS MARS II is made on the basis of the finished product M270 and retains the original appearance and architecture, as well as all the main components and assemblies. At the same time, some systems that determine combat capabilities and effectiveness have been replaced. The growth of the main combat characteristics is ensured, but with some restrictions.
The "European" project provides for the preservation of the existing chassis with a standard power plant and running gear. A new automatic fire extinguishing system has been introduced at the MLRS for Germany and Italy. In accordance with current environmental regulations, it uses compressed nitrogen.
The basic version of the M270 has hydraulic actuators for the launcher. For MARS II / LRU / MLRS-I, KMW has developed a set of electric drives ELDS. Such drives have higher performance and survivability, as well as easier maintenance.
The main difference between MARS II and the original MLRS lies in the "European fire control system" EFCS developed by Airbus. This MSA ensures the use of missiles of the GMLRS family with a range of approx. 90 km and satellite correction. At the same time, the range of ammunition has been artificially reduced. The developing countries have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and therefore the EFCS does not allow the use of missiles with such equipment.
Predictable future
The German MLRS MARS II just arrived in Ukraine and, probably, have not yet been used. However, it is already clear how they will be used, what this will lead to, and what prospects this technique has. As in the case of other foreign weapons, the results of such "aid" will be very specific and will not help the Kyiv regime in any way.
Once again, we are talking about the delivery of only a few combat vehicles. Three German MLRS, even together with British and Norwegian assistance, will not be enough for full-fledged combat use. However, even these forces are enough for a favorite Ukrainian tactic - single attacks on civilian targets or even on their former colleagues.
MARS IIs are capable of using guided projectiles of the GMLRS family. This increases operating ranges and hit accuracy. At the same time, it is possible to use only missiles with a monoblock warhead. Such charges are more powerful than submunitions for cluster warheads, however, they do not allow covering large area targets. Accordingly, in some cases, MARS II loses in efficiency to other versions of the M270.
It should be noted that GMLRS products, regardless of the payload, are easily detected and hit by existing military air defense systems. At the same time, a small number of MLRS will not allow performing a large salvo that can overload anti-aircraft systems. In addition, an attempt to assemble such a battery will be revealed with an understandable result.
Find and destroy
Thus, from the point of view of the methods of combat use and the efficiency achieved, the “new” MARS II from Germany will not fundamentally differ from the previously received MLRS or HIMARS. They will be used sporadically and to perform volleys of limited size. At the same time, civilian objects will again be chosen as targets - so that any missile that breaks through can cause maximum moral and material damage.
All this means that our troops will have to pay great attention to the air defense of the liberated areas. In addition, work will continue to identify and destroy MLRS and ammunition depots for them. The Russian army has managed to accumulate a lot of experience in this area, and it is already clear what the future holds for the former German MARS II.
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