MLRS "Sarma" in development and production
The Sarma multiple launch rocket system at an exhibition in the Motovilikha Plants workshop, September 2025. Still from a Channel One report.
Over the past several years, the Russian defense industry has been developing the advanced Sarma multiple launch rocket system. All necessary work has now been completed and production of this system has begun. It is expected to be deployed to combat units soon, enhancing their combat capabilities.
The first attempts
It's worth recalling that the development of new MLRS systems capable of complementing existing equipment began back in the 2000s. The goal of these new projects was to improve the performance and operational characteristics of combat vehicles while maintaining acceptable firepower. The Perm-based Motovilikha Plants company was responsible for developing this type of equipment.
In 2007, the first prototype of this type was unveiled – the 9K58-4 Kama. This MLRS was built on a KamAZ chassis and had an original launcher. Six 300-mm missiles The Smerch system's munitions were housed in a standardized, sealed transport and launch container. This was intended to simplify ammunition transportation and reloading.
The Ministry of Defense was dissatisfied with the first version of the Kama, and in 2009, an updated MLRS was developed. It received a six-tube launcher of a traditional design. This combat vehicle underwent testing until 2012, after which it was decided to halt development.
A close-up of the launcher. The MLRS was photographed at the Kapustin Yar firing range, October 2025. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Following the results of the experimental design work, the Ministry of Defense abandoned the development of entirely new models and instead began modernizing existing equipment. This resulted in the updated Tornado family of MLRS. Specifically, the 300mm Smerch system was upgraded according to the 9K515 Tornado-S design.
New project
In 2022-23, based on operational experience and combat use of existing MLRS systems during the ongoing Special Operation, it was decided to return to the old ideas for developing such equipment. During this period, Motovilikha Plants PJSC received a contract from the Ministry of Defense to develop a system codenamed "Sarma" (a river flowing into Lake Baikal and one of the region's winds).
The existence of such a project was announced later, in mid-2023. At that time, the Russian press, citing its sources, revealed the name of the future MLRS, its caliber, its connection to the previously developed Kama, and some other details. However, the full design of the new system remained unknown at that time.
At the end of 2023, the management of the Rostec state corporation disclosed information about a number of promising developments, including the Sarma MLRS. It was reported that the project was progressing successfully and completing the necessary stages. As a result, the first serial combat vehicles were expected as early as April 2024. Whether these plans were achieved remains unknown. For one reason or another, the Sarma project disappeared from the public eye for a long time. News.
On September 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Motovilikha Plants. An exhibition of manufactured equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems, was held in the plant's workshop. Among the products on display was the Sarma combat vehicle. An information board displaying its main performance characteristics was located next to this product.
The first version of the Kama MLRS with a transport and launch container. Photo: Bmpd.livejournal.com
On October 18, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev visited the Kapustin Yar test site, where he observed tests of various systems and complexes. He was shown modern prototypes. weapons and ammunition, including the latest MLRS. However, no new information about the Sarma project was disclosed.
Technique in series
According to reports from late 2023, the promising Sarma MLRS was scheduled to enter production in the first months of 2024. Unfortunately, Rostec failed to report on the progress of these plans at the time. Furthermore, no new information about the project was released for the next eighteen months.
At this point, we can confidently confirm the existence of at least one Sarma MLRS. This could be a prototype assembled in 2023-24 and used for testing. However, it cannot be ruled out that high-ranking officials were shown production-ready models.
Recently, in late October, procurement documents from the Russian Ministry of Defense allegedly leaked into the public domain. Ukraine claims to have obtained similar documents, which reveal the manufacturing details of various products. However, various aspects of the published "documents" cast doubt on their authenticity.
According to this "leak," the Russian Army ordered the production and delivery of two divisional Sarma systems from Motovilikha Plants in 2024. These are to include 12 self-propelled launchers and 12 transport-loading vehicles.
Testing the second version of the Kama missile with a traditional launcher. Photo by Motovilikha Plants.
It's worth noting that the stated amount of equipment is clearly insufficient to equip two divisions. Each such unit requires 12 MLRS. This discrepancy in numbers raises doubts about the veracity of the published information.
In any case, the Sarma project has completed all the necessary stages over the course of several years, and the industry is ready to begin mass production of the equipment. Now the Ministry of Defense decides the fate of the new MLRS—it will determine the pace and volume of production, the order of delivery and deployment of the equipment to the troops, etc.
Lightweight version
The Kama and Sarma were developed as complements to existing Russian MLRS systems, primarily the Smerch. These projects combined existing components with new components, intended to maintain high combat performance and improve other parameters.
The combat and transport/loading vehicle of the Sarma system are built on a four-axle KamAZ-63501 chassis. A modification with bulletproof/fragment-resistant cab armor is used. The necessary equipment, such as a launcher or a cargo platform with a crane for handling ammunition, is mounted in the rear of the chassis.
The self-propelled launcher is equipped with a set of six 300mm tubular launchers. The tubes themselves appear to be borrowed from the Smerch system, while the rest of the launcher's components were designed from scratch. The launcher's design allows for horizontal and vertical aiming. Aiming is likely accomplished manually or with special drives.
Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems participating in the Special Operation. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
The control system's composition has not yet been disclosed. A bracket with a panoramic sight can be seen on the launcher. Sarma may also be equipped with its own navigation systems, a ballistic computer, communications devices, and more. This modern equipment should speed up the firing preparation process.
The Sarma system is designed to utilize the existing 300mm rockets found in the 9K58/9K515 multiple launch rocket system. These munitions have a launch range of up to 80-90 km and can carry various warheads, including single-warhead high-explosive fragmentation and cluster munitions. UAV-launched missiles have also been developed.
Differences and advantages
It's easy to see how the newest Sarma MLRS differs from the older Smerch and Tornado-S systems. It's built on a different chassis with a lower payload capacity and different performance characteristics. It also uses a smaller launcher with a reduced ammunition load. At the same time, the equipment and ammunition are standardized.
The proposed Sarma system offers several advantages over existing technology. First and foremost, it is simpler and less expensive to manufacture and operate. Costs and expenses are reduced by using a mass-produced vehicle chassis, a smaller launcher, and other features. At the same time, the KAMAZ-63501 offers superior performance on both roads and off-road.
The Sarma carries and launches six missiles—half as many as the Tornado-S or Smerch. However, this difference in ammunition load is not a clear disadvantage. Experience with the rocket artillery In modern conflicts, it's clear that salvo fire over large areas with a full complement of ammunition isn't always necessary. Some fire missions can be accomplished with just a single missile, but it requires increased accuracy.
Thus, the Sarma project is based on an updated MLRS concept. Existing ideas and concepts were reconsidered, taking into account combat experience and other factors. As a result, a new multiple launch rocket system was developed that can complement existing systems, and in some situations, even replace them. The success of this addition will soon be revealed in practice.
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