The Kama MRLS. By Wikimedia user (Mike1979 Russia)
Russia is developing a brand new 300 mm multiple rocket launch system (MRLS), dubbed “Sarma,” RIA Novosti reported on June 2.
An informed source told the Russian news agency that the new MRLS will be highly mobile and capable of firing precision-guided rockets.
“Enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex are developing a promising MRLS of 300 millimeters, Sarma, which will be a continuation of the Kama MRLS created on the chassis of KamAZ,” the source said.
The unnamed source added that the new MRLS will be equipped with “an advanced automated fire control and guidance system.”
The Kama was unveiled at the MAKS 2007 airshow. The MRLS is a lighter version of the 9A53-S Tornado, which is an upgrade of the Soviet-era BM-30 Smerch, based on the KamAZ-63501 8×8 military truck and armed with six 300 mm rockets instead of 12.
RIA Novosti’s source didn’t provide any information on the armament of the Sarma. However, it is safe to assume that the MRLS will be able to fire 9М542-series rockets, which are guided by a GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system and have a range of up to 120 kilometers.
The Sarma MRLS appears to be Russia’s response to the American M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which was supplied to Ukraine last year.
It is unclear when the new MRLS could enter service with the Russian military. The system will likely be tested in the special military operation zone in Ukraine, where its high-mobility and long-range precision fire are needed.
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