Czech MLRS BM-21 MT Striga in Ukraine
BM-21 MT at the front
The Kiev regime receives various artillery weapons from abroad, including multiple launch rocket systems. The other day it became known that the Ukrainian formations had a new MLRS BM-21 MT Striga of Czech production at their disposal. In fact, this is another foreign version of the modernization of the old Soviet BM-21 Grad system, which involves replacing some components and improving some characteristics.
New sample
Already at the end of February 2022, the Czech government expressed its readiness to help the Kyiv regime with the supply of weapons and equipment, and also began to prepare the first packages of such assistance. In mid-April, the Czech Republic for the first time announced the imminent transfer of rocket artillery, and subsequently sent several batches of such equipment to Ukraine, as well as a large amount of ammunition for it.
Deliveries of MLRS began with two dozen RM-70 Vampire combat vehicles from the Czech army. They were handed over before the end of April. Subsequently, several batches of older BM-21 systems were reported. In total, by the end of the year we delivered approx. 60 MLRS, and new batches of equipment were no longer reported. However, now the supply of rocket artillery has resumed, but on a smaller scale.
A few days ago, a photograph of a Czech-developed MLRS BM-21 MT Striga launching rockets appeared on specialized resources. It was reported that the photo was taken in a war zone in Ukraine. The combat vehicle belongs to the Ukrainian 61st Mechanized Brigade and is operated by this unit along with previously delivered Vampires.
MLRS being tested
It is curious that the Czech or Ukrainian side did not previously report the impending transfer of a vehicle or vehicles of the BM-21 MT type. The delivery was carried out secretly, and it became known only after the equipment reached the front. However, the details of such assistance remain unknown.
In particular, even the number of MLRS supplied is in question. It is suggested that the only existing experimental and exhibition copy of the Striga was sent to Ukraine. However, it cannot be ruled out that the Czech Republic has managed to establish mass production of such equipment, and we are talking about a whole batch.
If foreign equipment has reached the front, then we can expect the imminent appearance of new photo and video materials and additional information. The volume of supplies, the specifics of operation and application, the real value of such equipment, etc. will need to be clarified. In addition, the Czech MLRS will sooner or later be included in the lists of losses of Ukrainian formations - like many other types of equipment.
First delivery
The BM-21 MT Striga MLRS was developed by the Czech company Excalibur Army in the middle of the last decade. This project involved the restructuring and deep modernization of the existing BM-21 Grad system in order to improve a number of technical, combat and operational characteristics. At the same time, ideas and solutions were used that had already been tested by other developers in other projects.
The development company first presented a finished sample of the BM-21 MT in 2018. Subsequently, it was regularly shown at various foreign exhibitions in order to find customers. At the same time, tests were carried out, during which the design was tested, and promotional materials were prepared.
As far as we know, despite all the efforts of Excalibur Army, the Striga system was not of interest to potential customers until recently. There were no contracts, and mass production did not start. However, the development company continued to search for buyers.
According to the latest news, the Czech company was finally able to find a country interested in receiving its equipment. It was Ukraine, which by now had received MLRS - one or more. Unfortunately, detailed information about this delivery is not yet available. In particular, it is unknown whether the equipment was provided as assistance or sold. If it was delivered on a commercial basis, then who paid for the transaction, etc.
Regardless of the specific circumstances, it should be noted that sending the BM-21 MT to Ukraine can hardly be considered a commercial success and serve as good advertising. The fact is that in the current situation, the Kiev regime is ready to accept any military equipment, regardless of its characteristics and potential. Accordingly, the appearance of the Striga combat vehicle in Ukraine speaks mainly about the possibility of its acquisition, but not about its value as a weapon.
Standard Approach
The BM-21 MT project is a deep modernization of the Grad and provides for a major restructuring of this vehicle. In this case, ideas and solutions that were previously implemented in other projects with similar goals are used. As a result, in its architecture, functions and capabilities, the Czech Striga system is similar to other modern modifications of the BM-21.
Excalibur Army abandoned the standard Ural chassis and transferred the MLRS to the Tatra 815-7 truck. This is a two-axle, all-wheel drive, cabover vehicle with a Cummins ISL (360 hp) or Tatra T3C-928-90 (400 hp) diesel engine and automatic transmission. With a load in the form of MLRS units, it reaches speeds of up to 90 km/h on the highway, and up to 30 km/h off-road.
The Grad launcher is located in the aft part of the cargo area. It retains the main elements and 40 tubular guides, but receives remotely controlled guidance drives. At the same time, manual drives and a rod for mounting a panoramic sight are retained as spare parts.
As with other BM-21 upgrade projects, the BM-21 MT MLRS receives a new fire control system. It is built on the basis of a digital ballistic computer connected to satellite navigation devices, communications equipment, etc. Such an OMS speeds up the process of georeferencing, calculating data for firing, etc. In addition, the workload on the crew, which has been reduced to three people, is reduced. Control can be carried out both from the cabin and from a remote control panel.
Striga uses standard 122mm Grad rockets. Apparently, compatibility with any ammunition of this caliber is ensured. In this regard, the firing characteristics of the modernized MLRS remain at the level of the basic BM-21 or other variants of its modernization. At the same time, the new OMS can improve accuracy and some other indicators.
typical sample
MLRS BM-21 MT Striga from the Czech company Excalibur Armu is a typical example of a modern approach to modernizing the old BM-21 combat vehicle. There are a number of projects of this kind that use common solutions and ideas, as well as similar instruments and devices. Such renovation projects produce similar results.
Crew workstations in the cockpit
Replacing the chassis and introducing a new fire control system can improve mobility, simplify operation, and also improve some of the firing characteristics of the MLRS. In turn, the preservation of the launcher and the existing range of ammunition determines other fire parameters - range, salvo size, etc. With all this, there is no fundamental breakthrough in characteristics and combat capabilities.
From the point of view of design and capabilities, Striga can be considered an analogue of the Russian Tornado-G system. At the same time, the Czech model does not have any fundamental advantages over the Russian one, but is inferior in numbers. "Tornado-G" has long been mass-produced, while the BM-21 MT so far exists only in the form of a prototype or several prototypes or pre-production samples.
Desperate attempt
In general, the current situation looks very interesting. It seems that the Czech Republic has exhausted its capabilities and can no longer transfer rocket artillery systems en masse to the Kyiv regime. If last year it was possible to deliver dozens of combat vehicles from combat units, now everything is limited to a single prototype or samples.
It is obvious that in such small quantities the Czech MLRS BM-21 MT Striga will not be able to influence the situation. The crews will not be able to use its technical potential and improve the position of Ukrainian rocket artillery. At the same time, an interesting sample, which may have previously appeared at exhibitions, will most likely be destroyed - like a large number of Ukrainian MLRS before it.
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