Thailand’s army accused rival Cambodia of utilizing Russian-made BM-21 rocket techniques as tensions between the neighbouring nations escalated on Thursday.
The Thai military mentioned Cambodian forces had used heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting what Thai officers described as “applicable supporting fireplace” in return.
A number of photos additionally present Cambodian troopers standing on a truck carrying a Russian-made BM-21 rocket launcher and travelling alongside a avenue in Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.
Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest army clashes in additional than a decade on July 24, with no less than 12 folks killed as the 2 sides battled with tanks, artillery and floor forces over a disputed border zone.
What are these BM-21 rocket launchers?
The Russian BM-21 Grad (БМ-21) is claimed to be a self-propelled 122mm A number of-Launch-Rocket-System (MLRS). Merely put, it’s a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm a number of rocket launcher.
The BM-21 Grad is an early Chilly Struggle period a number of rocket launcher of Soviet origin, weaponsystems.net claimed. It was developed within the early Sixties and noticed its first fight in March 1969, a report claimed.
BM stands for Boyevaya Mashina, that means Fight-Automobile. The nickname Grad means Hail. In NATO nations, the system (both the whole system or the launch automobile solely) was initially often known as M1964.
In line with Military Recognition web site, the BM-21 122 mm a number of rocket launcher (MRL) system entered into service with the Soviet Military in 1963 to switch the ageing 140 mm BM-14 system.
“The primary function of the BM-21 Grad system is to help the division with suppressive fireplace to counter anti-tank missile, artillery and mortar positions, destroy sturdy factors and eradicate enemy nodes of resistance on the instant battlefield,” the report added.
A number of different nations have copied the Grad or have developed comparable techniques.
How BM-21 GRAD works
The BM-21 GRAD is provided with a pod of 40 launch tubes of 122 mm caliber organized in an oblong form that may be turned away from the unprotected cab.
The rocket launcher weapon system is mounted on the rear of the truck chassis.
The launching mechanism is powered by a small generator system contained in the truck. It could fireplace rockets straight from the cab or from a set off on the finish of a 64-meter cable.
The BM-21 rockets may be both fired singly or in a salvo lasting six seconds, Military Recognition defined.The V8 petrol engine gives a most highway pace of 75 km/h.
After firing, the automobile must be reloaded, which might take round 10 minutes with an skilled crew and the suitable reloading tools.
How widespread is BM-21 Grad?
The BM-21 Grad is essentially the most extensively used a number of rocket launcher ever developed. It was utilized in very giant portions by Soviet and a few Warsaw Pact forces.
Many techniques had been exported to Soviet allies in Asia, Africa, the Center East and South America.
In addition to, many countries have developed their very own improved variants. Most of those stay appropriate with unique Grad rockets, but in addition use newer and longer-range variants.
